“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!

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Let’s apply the same principle to DbMaj7#11

If we apply chord iii we have F minor:

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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]

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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.

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Bars 9 to 11: Chord Vi:

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

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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

2 Part Counterpoint Guitar Strumming

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

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2 Part Counterpoint Guitar Strumming: songwriting guitar style lesson

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.

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

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

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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.

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

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

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

Here is a chordal variation with an added pedal note:

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

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

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

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

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

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.

pedal-strumming-guitar-lesson

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

al-di-meola-triplets-arpeggio-lesson

Full Exercise:

pedal-strumming-guitar-lesson

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

Mark Koch “Melodic minor studies”

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

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Hi Guys,

Here is a “Melodic minor” study sent to me by Mark Koch that you might find interesting and useful:

Bar 1:

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Bar 2:

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Bar 3:

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Copyright Mark Koch 2004

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