fusion – Page 2 – modern music theory and application

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

Posted on April 11, 2023April 15, 2023 by 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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Alternate Picking John Mclaughlin Style v7 1 EXERCISE.

Posted on April 6, 2023April 11, 2023 by Modern Music Theory

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Alternate Picking John Mclaughlin Style

PLEASE WATCH VIDEO ABOVE FOR DETAILED ANALYSIS:

Hi Guys,

Today we will look at a ii V7 extension in the improvisational style of jazz/fusion guitarist John McLaughlin.

HARMONY/CHORD SEQ

This is a cadential ii V7 I, but before the chord I resolution there is an added chord. This is chord Vii as a Dominant 7th. In this case this is B7:

john-mclaughlin-guitar-improvisation-technique

So, this is the chord sequence/cadence that we will improvise over.

I start this with an up-beat employing strict alternate picking.

I start the phrase on an “Upstroke” so that when I start on the 1st beat of the 1st bar I can start on a “Downstroke”for familiarity.

The first bar is basic pentatonic scale movement. But, notice that the 2nd half of the bar encapsulates the classic McLaughlin guitar fingering signature phrase.

The next part employs pentatonic movement again. The key is in shifting positions in the second half of the bar.

john-mclaughlin-guitar-jazz-improvisation-technique

Lastly, we have the B7 chord. We start with a second inversion F#9 outline and then we establish the 7th with the A natural. We finally cadence by landing on the note G natural the 5th of CMaj7.

FULL LICK:

PDF DOWNLOAD:

mcl-ap Mclaughlin Download

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Messiaen’s 3rd Mode Backing Track

Posted on March 17, 2023March 24, 2023 by Modern Music Theory

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Messiaen’s 3rd mode Backing Track

Hi Guys,

Today we will look at a backing track for Messiaen’s 3rd Mode of limited transposition.

Here is the 3rd mode in its most commonly used form in jazz/fusion: [This is a 9 note scale]

Here is the outline to the chords in the backing track: Remember, these are all formed from the same 3rd mode.

Here is the Chord Chart and Video/Track:

Messiaen’s 3rd mode Backing Track

CHORD CHART:

PDF DOWNLOAD:

messiaen-mode-3-chart Messiaen Mode 3 Download

Here is some more information/Examples on Messiaen’s 3rd Mode: [Video and Tab/Notation]

Messiaen Modes and Compositional/Improvisational Technique: Modern Music Theory Lesson

Mode 3 has 4 Transpositions and is very useful for jazz. The second transposition was Messiaen’s favourite of his modes.

Messiaen, mode 3, 2nd transposition, detailed, lesson, music theory, examples, — Messiaen Modes and Compositional/Improvisational Technique: Modern Music Theory Lesson

Messiaen mode 3 lesson — Messiaen Modes and Compositional/Improvisational Technique: Modern Music Theory Lesson

Below are some examples employing this scale for improvisation which in turn can be used to create interesting composition.

MESSIAEN MODE 3 [2ND TRANSPOSITION]: EXAMPLE 1

Messiaen, 3rd mode, improvisation, composition, lesson, example, transposed, jazz, fusion, classical, music — Messiaen Modes and Compositional/Improvisational Technique: Modern Music Theory Lesson

INTERVALLIC IDEA: EXAMPLE 2

Messiaen, intervallic, mode, 3, example, intervals, improvisation, composition, technique, transposed, 5rd, mode, — Messiaen Modes and Compositional/Improvisational Technique: Modern Music Theory Lesson

Many composers like Tora Takemitsu and improvisers like Allan Holdsworth have manipulated this mode in one form or another. In the example below this mode sort of weaves in and out of itself. nother. As you can see in the example belomode sort of weaves in and out of itself.

Weaving in and out of F major 7th: EXAMPLE 3

Messiaen, mode, 3, transposed, Weaving, in and out, of F major 7th, lesson, improvisation, composition, how, to — Messiaen Modes and Compositional/Improvisational Technique: Modern Music Theory Lesson

WEAVING IN AND OUT OF A ALTERED: EXAMPLE 4

Messiaen, mode 3, improvisation, Composition, example, for jazz, classical, music — Messiaen Modes and Compositional/Improvisational Technique: Modern Music Theory Lesson

Below is a Short Compositional Study where I use Messaien’s Modes.

Messiaen Modes and Compositional/Improvisational Technique: Modern Music Theory Lesson

IF THESE EXAMPLES WERE OF USE TO YOU THEN PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO US BELOW ON YOUTUBE, THANKS!

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Author: Clifford Martin Musical Artist: Guitar Gti

Modern Music Theory

Clifford Martin is a trained classical musician and composer. His 1st study being piano and composition and a deep study into the meticulous world of modern music theory. He also studied jazz piano and jazz drums privately. Clifford later came back to the guitar and studied in the jazz fusion style of John McLaughlin and Al di Meola. It was at this point that he put all of his years of learning together into one musical form This website is a sort of cataloging of ideas and musical concepts for exploitation and development in the arts of musical composition and improvisation. What started out as a jazz improvisation site has grown into a full blown, harmony, timbre, pitch and rhythm library. Peace, Enjoy!