Today, a look at using the guitar pick/plectrum to create contrapuntal/counterpoint ideas.
In this first part, [This lesson] we will look at treble to bass and bass to treble and how to make the non consecutive 3rds, 5ths and octaves and harmony work.
In the next part [next lesson] we will look at how to create “Resonance”, especially in regards to scales.
PART 1: Etude/Prelude
At the beginning of the video above, you will see/hear a little prelude that I composed for the contrapuntal plectrum/picking ideas.
This demonstration concepts piece will be the lesson of today.
SMOOTH “CLEAR” HARMONY=Key
In the first bar we have chord I to Vb. This, could also be seen as, C to G/B or chord I to chord V first inversion:[Landing on the root]
Musical notation for plectrum guitar illustrating the progression from chord I to Vb, emphasizing harmonic structure.
From here we have chord ii and then chords moving up the scale – I ii iii iV
Here, I am also employing the second finger with the pick in order to pluck both strings at once [see video].
In order to keep the harmony ascending with clear movement, we will now take the F natural up a semitone to F# and create a secondary dominant first inversion-II7b
This chord ii [Dm] is now, made Major with the added seventh [D7].
This in turn, resolves up another semitone to G for the dominant chord of G Major.
Musical notation depicting the secondary dominant II7b and chord V for guitar pick practice.
We will now, exploit a perfect cadence of I V I to complete this section of the composition:
PART 2:
Now, to create contrast, we will employ scale movement, double stops and imitation:
The technique to keep this ascending is “Imitation”, using and implying what we have already played up an octave.
Finally, the cadence is created with “Contrary Motion” technique. And, once again we will imitate this, but, an octave lower this time, to complete the cadence.
Musical notation illustrating the technique of contrary motion, highlighting specific notes and finger positions and imitation.
PART 3:
In the coming part, we will exploit much string skipping and intervallic movement.
This technique is great for Low High Low with the Bass to Treble or Treble to bass.
This is an amazing way, to perform a contrapuntal effect and map out and perform crystalline clear harmony that resonates beautifully when fretted on the guitar.[See Video Above].
Sheet music illustrating plectrum techniques and contrapuntal ideas for guitar.
Second Part:
Musical notation showing notes and finger placements for contrapuntal guitar picking.
PART 4: Recapitulation:
The last part employs our original little tune, but will change key at the finale.
In order to change the key and “Uplift” the end, we will exploit two secondary dominants: The first being chord ii as II7b [D7 to G].
And the second being Chord iii. So, we have III7b [E7 to A Major]
Musical notation illustrating the progression from D7/F# G to E7/G# A, highlighting the transitions in chord structure and secondary dominants for guitar.
This, means that we now have to cadence with D Major as the new tonic key.
To wind down the composition we will outline a D Major [13/sus4] arpeggio and cadence with some simple contrary motion emphasising the new key and chord of D Major.
Conclusion:
This, was just a quick look at the fretting side of plectrum contrapuntal guitar writing and playing.
This style, encompasses the no consecutive 3rds, 5ths and octaves approach, taken from the Bach’s chorales.
In the next part, we will look at how to create resonance and a much bigger sound with more colourful plectrum techniques.
Today a quick look at connecting “Hexatonic” groupings together with strict alternate picking guitar technique.
The key is to glide or slide or let the fretting hand fall naturally into each position. This way the connections are made smoothly.
If the fretting hand panics, or releases from the positionthen it will fall apart: So connecting SMOOTHLY from each 6 grouping to the next= The Key
This is the same process as connecting 4 note groupings “Tetrachords” but we have 2 extra notes to contend with:
Because we have the 2 extra notes Hexatonics work well at a slower tempo’s like 100 to 120 Bpm for Fusion double timing:
EXERCISES:
Here is the first Exercise/Example: This starts on a down stroke with strict alternate picking:
Notice, that in the second bar we have an arpeggio/triad figure:
This arpeggio can throw your alternate picking because it breaks up the scale momentum. So, you have to prepare for it and be aware that there is a quick change of movement in the fretting hand as you cross the strings.
Exercise 2:
Here, we have an ascending exercise that connects together easily and naturally.
Again, it starts on a downstroke with strict alternate picking.
Here is the same exercise, but, with a VARIATION at the end:
Exercise 3:
Finally, we have an example that employs the downstroke and the upstroke:
Hence, we start on adownstrokeand then have a short rest and then commence starting on an upstroke:
Here is the first part starting on a downstroke:
Next, we have a rest and then start the next part on an upstroke to complete the exercise:
