guitar lessons – Page 3 – Modern Music Theory Improvisation and Application

Jazz Fusion Alternate Picking Guitar Exercise Analysis

Posted on July 8, 2024July 8, 2024 by Modern Music Theory and Application

Hi Guys

As requested, here are the two youtube shorts [uploaded horizontal] with the Tab/Notation. [Sorry, some notation is a bit messy]

VIDEO OF THE EXERCISE:

Alternate Picking guitar exercise. Jazz Fusion music mid tempo. Lesson/How to:

EXERCISE ANALYSIS:

PLEASE NOTE: These are only exercises to connect and get familiar with the jazz tools of improvisation in regards to alternate picking:

This exercise starts on a down stroke with strict alternate picking around 130-140 Bpm:

The point of the exercise is to “Connect” lots of jazz improvisation concepts together.

The first being barring 4ths and 3rds with the little finger [or pinkie]. This breaks up the monotony of the scale sound and creates a melodic inflection. It also makes it easy to play quickly as two notes are fretted with the same finger.

alternate-picking-guitar-jazz-fusion-lesson

This exercise is also good for exploiting phrasing on one string:

It’s also good for triad implications or sus 4-3 to lengthen the line.

Lastly, another tool that works really well for both the alternate picking right hand and the sound of the phrase is to employ an arpeggio. In this exercise we have also manipulated the open string to set up the next fragment of scale on the same string.

FULL EXERCISE:

DESCENDING ALTERNATE PICKING EXERCISE:

Alternate Picking mid tempo guitar exercise

This exercise starts on a downstroke once again, but, this time we descend:

The same improvisational tools are applied.

We start the line with some 4ths barred with the little finger into a bit of broken scale.

This leads us nicely into the employment of two arpeggios. These arpeggios create melodic colour over the A7 Dominant chord.

Next we exploit the alternate picking on the same string for two beats over the D Major 7 chord:

As with the previous exercise we exploit the Major 3rd and perfect 4th intervals, which means that we can alternate pick two notes quickly without having to change our fretting fingers.

Finally, we employ the chromatic scale starting on the #5 [Bb] of D7augmented chord:

IN CONCLUSION

In conclusion it’s through exploiting these improvisational devices that we can alternate pick and create long quick fluid lines lines that make improvisational sense.

In terms of jazz fusion this means that we can play smoothly through ambiguous harmony as well as standard chord changes at a quick tempo.

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

alternatepicking-lesson Download

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2 Part Counterpoint Guitar Strumming

Posted on April 15, 2024April 30, 2024 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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2 Part Counterpoint Guitar Strumming: songwriting guitar style lesson

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at contrapuntal 2 part guitar strumming. This involves employing contrary motion technique where 2 parts move in different directions

This is not traditional Bach counterpoint but using and exploiting what works naturally on the guitar’s traditional tuning EADGBE.

In the first exercise we will just pluck some simple 2 part voicing’s leading to a plagal cadence.

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

In the next exercise we will brings out the inner voicing’s whilst strumming rhythms on all the guitar strings.

Now, we will move up to the next three strings and strum some more patterns.

In the following exercise you will see how easy it is to create contrary motion through the different registers with the plectrum as [simple dyads or] 2 note voicing’s.

Now, we will move up to the first and second strings,

Here is a chordal variation with an added pedal note:

The next example is in G major and produces a really lovely sound that resonates on the first two strings.

Let’s now add a G pedal: Notice the ascending [but falling] scale motifs:

Finally, we can employ another useful technique by using a pedal note with a chord. This is not contrapuntal, but it is useful for creating a clear sense of harmony with rhythmic drive.

Here we will add a little a “Down Down Up” plucked triplet motif to break it up.

Full Exercise:

Free PDF DOWNLOAD:

2-part-guitar-strumming Download

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Alternate Picking “Upstroke” Guitar Exercise

Posted on March 21, 2024March 26, 2024 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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Alternate Picking Guitar explained in detail-“The UP STROKE”

Please watch video above for detailed information

Hi Guys,

Today, just a short alternate picking guitar technique exercise starting on an “Upstroke”.

The first part of the exercise employs a scale fragment that starts on an upstroke .

Although, this creates an odd grouping of 5 notes, it works really well because when you cross over the strings you will be starting on a “Down stroke”

This, also works well because this is a simple two finger pentatonic movement.

alternate-picking-guitar-explained-how-to

In the second bar we imitate the first part of the first bar by starting on the “Upstroke” again, creating another 5 note grouping,

In the next part we start on the “Down stroke” again. Also, note the fingering as we cross the strings. This is a favourite of guitarist John McLaughlin. This is crossing with the 2nd finger.