“Minor-isation”For Backing Track Improvisation:

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

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“Minor-isation”or the minor topic.[Backing Track]

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at applying minor-isation for improvisation over a backing track:

This is a very useful way to play over ambiguous harmony or Jazz fusion chord progressions, slash chords and sometimes illogical movement/chord shifts.

ANSWER=Employ the minor key for everything!

minor-topic-pat-martino-minorisation-track

Let’s apply the same principle to DbMaj7#11

If we apply chord iii we have F minor:

minor-topic-pat-martino-minorisation-track

This time we will apply it to B Maj7#11

Chord iii being D#minor [Although I have notated it enharmonically with Eb minor as some people find that easier to visualise on the guitar fingerboard]

minor-topic-pat-martino-minorisation-track

In bars 9 to 12 you will see slash chords. For these we will go to chord Vi. So for instance on Db/Eb we will use Bb minor.

minor-topic-pat-martino-minorisation-track

Bars 9 to 11: Chord Vi:

minor-topic-pat-martino-minorisation-track

And on C/D chord Vi will be A minor:

minor-topic-pat-martino-minorisation-track

We could also use chord iii as we did in the first 8 bars:

Bars 9 to 11: Chord iii Employed:

For the last part we will employ chord iii of Db Major throughout: This of course being F minor:

minor-topic-pat-martino-minorisation-track

Here is the chart for the full backing track and you will see how all of this works:

minor-topic-pat-martino-minorisation-track

This is just a basic example of how “minor-isation” can be exploited to create really fluid improvisation especially on the guitar in a modern smooth jazz fusion context:

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

Creating “Scales” from Scales Tetrachords [C melodic minor]

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Creating “Scales” from Scales Tetrachords [C melodic minor]

PLEASE WATCH VIDEO ABOVE FOR DETAILED ANALYSIS:

Hi Guys,

The key to making scales from scales wether they be Triadic, Tetrachord, Pentatonic or Hexatonic is to highlight the key notes that give that scale its unique flavour/sound:

Below we can see this in the C melodic minor scale.

how-to-create-scales-jazz-music

The crucial Eb note and B natural note against the C root note tells us that this is not major and that it has a specific vibe/atmosphere to it.

In this first example we will employ 3 notes and 2 notes for highlighting: This employs alternate picking starting on an upstroke:

how-to-create-scales-jazz-music

This next example starts on a “Downstroke” and is even simpler. This is a simple 2 note fingering into a 2 note scale.

how-to-create-scales-jazz-music

Now let’s create an ascending line:

how-to-create-scales-from-scales

HARMONIC MINOR

Next we will add an Ab and make 2 Tetrachord scales from C Harmonic minor and create a little run:

how-to-create-scales-tetrachords-example

This time we will ascend with the C Harmonic minor scale:

how-to-create-scales-jazz-guitar

LASTLY

It’s also a good idea to play the key chord of a scale and then pluck the key note or notes that give that scale it’s unique flavour.

For example below is an F Maj7#11 chord that when you pluck the B natural it really stands out as Lydian:

how-to-create-scales-jazz-guitar

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

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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:

alternate-picking-guitar-example-chart

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.

alternate-picking-guitar-example
alternate-picking-guitar-example

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
alternate-picking-guitar-example

PDF DOWNLOAD:

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