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2 keys “Shifting Positions” alternate picking guitar lesson/exercise

Posted on April 11, 2023April 15, 2023 by Jazz fusion guitar Improvisation lessons and modern music theory

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2 keys alternate picking guitar lesson/exercise: “Shifiting Positions”

PLEASE WATCH VIDEO ABOVE FOR DETAILED ANALYSIS:

Hi Guys,

Here is the analysis for the Youtube “Shorts” 2 keys alternate picking video that I uploaded a few weeks ago.

The key to this exercise is the ability to “Connect” at the point of changing scales/keys:

Here is the chart and diagram:

As you can see there is a change of harmony and scale. This in turn affects the fingering of the fretting hand and wrist as this quick change happens.

So, there is a tilt or pivot [Please watch video above to see this] as the wrist/hand gets into position:

alternate-picking-right-hand-guitar-technique-pic

alternate-picking-right-hand-guitar-technique-picture

FULL EXERCISE:

This exercise employs strict alternate picking starting on a down stroke:

The use of 4 note groupings [Tetrachords] is to keep the line solid rhythmically. Notice that the 3rd note in each 4 note grouping is accented.

Next we come to the “Connection” part. As stated earlier and in the video presentation above the pivot and tilt of the wrist and hand is essential in order to make the smooth connection.

Next we have the“Shifting Position”as the hand holds the same shape but just moves/slides down into the next position.

shifting-position-alternate-picking-guitar-technique

PDF DOWNLOAD:

ap-2-keys Download

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“EXTENDED” Alternate Picking Guitar Exercise:

Posted on February 20, 2023February 28, 2023 by Jazz fusion guitar Improvisation lessons and modern music theory

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4 Positions Alternate Picking Guitar Exercise:

Please watch the video above for in depth detail:

Hi Guys,

Moving on from our last alternate picking video we will now extend this to 4 different positions on the guitar fingerboard.

As always for this mid tempo jazz/fusion [140-160 Bpm] style it’s essential to accent the [first] and third notes in each 4 note grouping.

“The third note being the most important to accent”

Without doing this, the rhythm, tempo and dynamic gets lost along with the timing and fluidity.

[1st] and 3rd notes Accented

Here is the alternate picking exercise: It is essential to watch the video above in order to understand the “Simple” concept of the guitar fingering as this is crucial for executing this exercise.

This starts on a “Downstroke” with strict alternate picking:

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

alternate-picking-secret alternate picking download

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Scale Application for Guitar Improvisation

Posted on February 3, 2023February 14, 2023 by Jazz fusion guitar Improvisation lessons and modern music theory

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Guitar scales made easy!

Please watch video above for detailed analysis

Hi Guys,

Many players ask, “How do I apply scales”?????

Many people get shred guitar mixed up with improvisational styles especially in regards to alternate picking.

Then, when improvisational chord changes appear the scalic structure, guitar fingering, rhythm and phrasing go out of the window. Because, the clumpy classical fingering impedes the rhythmic flow needed to weave in and out of rapid chord changes.

So what to do?

The key is to make simple fingerings with pentatonics, triad pairs, arpeggios, and chromatic passing notes and target tone set ups.

In the example for this blog/video we will go to the absolute basics and create a very simple scale. [please watch video above for more detail]

So, let’s look at the example of a simplified scale built from the basic major scale. [This could be seen as Phrygian but it is just exploiting a simple fingering]

This Ascends and Descends starting on a “Downstroke” with strict alternate picking.

For most players the most awkward part is descending on the last 2 strings the A and the E string.

Here is the same scale but with an even easier final 4 notes on the E and A strings:

Next we will apply this concept of breaking up scales and apply it to a bit of John Coltrane’s “Countdown”.

Notice the “Tetrachords” and 2 beat phrases through the rapid changes of harmony.

countdown-guitar-tab-improvisation-example

With the chords moving so quickly and the harmony changing in this manner you can easily hear, see and feel how important it is to be able to improvise with simple broken up scales that inevitably result in simple fluid fingering.

PDF: DOWNLOAD:

scale-fingering Download

“Countdown” Example: PDF DOWNLOAD:

countdown-scales Download

IF THIS LESSON WAS OF USE TO YOU THEN PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO US BELOW ON YOUTUBE, THANKS!