Mastering John McLaughlin’s Guitar Techniques

Hi Guys,

Today, Part 2 of the alternate picking patterns/numbers for John McLaughlin style guitar playing/picking.

These are all building off of the number 5 and starting on the “Up” stroke for strict alternate picking guitar technique in standard tuning:


john_mclaughlin_guitar_technique_example
john_mclaughlin_guitar_technique_example
john_mclaughlin_guitar_technique_example
john_mclaughlin_guitar_technique_example
john_mclaughlin_guitar_technique_example
john_mclaughlin_guitar_technique_example

These example like those above expand on the number 5 but start on a “Down”stroke this time.

john_mclaughlin_guitar_technique_example
john_mclaughlin_guitar_technique_example
john_mclaughlin_guitar_technique_example
john_mclaughlin_guitar_technique_example
john_mclaughlin_guitar_technique_example

Example 1:

john_mclaughlin_guitar_technique_example

Example 2:

john_mclaughlin_guitar_technique_example

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

Jazz Guitar Alternate Picking Exercises: ii V7 i [Double Time]

Modern Jazz Fusion Chords part 2. Steely Dan, Dan Chord and Slash Chords

CLICK SUBSCRIBE!

Jazz Guitar Alternate Picking Exercises: ii v7 I [Double Time]

Hi Guys,

Today, we will look at some alternate picking guitar technique exercises for jazz improvisation when double timing

We will exploit ii V7 I’s as a basis for honing our alternate picking skills whilst employing 4 note tetrachord groupings.

In the first exercise it’s a good idea to accent the third note in each four note grouping. We are also starting on a downstroke:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies

Here is the same exercise but with a variation in the second bar:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies
jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies

The next exercise will employ groups of 6 notes called sextuplets: As an exercise we will start with an “Upstroke” this time. This will be played over an AmMaj7 pad:

First Part:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies-sextuplets

2nd Part:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies-sextuplets

Full Exercise/Line:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies-sextuplets

The following exercise uses some chromatic movement that smoothly connects to pentatonic movement starting on a downstroke:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies
jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies

In our final exercise we will join together some of these principles.

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies-double-time
jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies-double-time

This was just a brief look at how to create alternate picking guitar exercises for improvisation through chord changes by applying simple patterns/fingerings that work naturally.

This was only around 140 bpm. But, this is essential before moving onto much quicker tempos with the alternate picking guitar technique.

With the 4 note “Tetrachord” groupings you will get fluidity through the changes. They will give you stability. They can then be broken up to create anticipation and syncopation-which will in turn create the natural expression of musical phrasing.

Modern Jazz Fusion Chords part 2. Steely Dan, Dan Chord and Slash Chords

2 short John McLaughlin Style Acoustic Jazz Guitar Licks/Cadences

Modern Jazz Fusion Chords part 2. Steely Dan, Dan Chord and Slash Chords

CLICK SUBSCRIBE!

2 short John McLaughlin Acoustic Jazz Guitar Licks/Cadences

Hi Guys,

Today just a couple of John McLaughlin “Style” acoustic guitar licks/cadences on ii V7 I’s

The first one has a phrasing that really feels like two groups of sextuplets. This in turn creates a sort of juxtaposed phrasing as it is picked in 4 note tetrachord groupings starting with an up beat.

But, the alternate picking pattern starting on an Upstroke pushes this juxtaposition quite naturally.

john-mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-example

The second part of the first bar simplifies this by employing basic 2 notes per string phrasing:

john-mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-example

The next bar being played over the Dominant 7th chord employs the same type of mixed phrasing as the first bar:

john-mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-example

We conclude with 2 triads of Eminor and F Major:

john-mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-example

This lick starts with an upbeat and an upstroke on the open E string:

From here we start on a downstroke with 4 note groupings of Tetrachord connections:

john-mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-example

The final phrase employs the same juxtaposed notes/groupings as the first exercise which finally rest on the tonic chord of C Maj7:

john-mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-example

Modern Jazz Fusion Chords part 2. Steely Dan, Dan Chord and Slash Chords