Shakti: Indian Raga alternate picking and fretting hand technique[Development]

Posted on August 29, 2023September 12, 2023 by Modern Music Theory and Application

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at developing Shakti style Fusion guitar Raga’s from the Mixolydian mode.

Below, is the mode in a Pentatonic form:

Next, we have a phrase that is developed from this mode. In order for it to be smooth and fluid at a “Fast” tempo we will change the fingering:

So, here the 2nd finger comes into play. This makes connecting the phrase easy and smooth to execute with alternate picking.

Notice: I am starting on an upstroke. This is because it is a very smooth “Scalic” and mostly step-wise passage.

Below, we are starting with an anacrusis [Up Beat]. Because of this I am starting on a downstroke.

This means that the actual phrase [1st beat of the bar] will start on the upstroke for smooth step-wise scalic movement.

Below, we have the same thing. This time it starts on the off beat in the bar and employs the same concept:

Start on the down so the up carries the smooth scalic movement:

PDF DOWNLOAD “SHAKTI”:

shakti-mixolydian Download

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Mirror Harmony [Negative Harmony] Music Theory Lesson

Posted on August 23, 2023August 29, 2023 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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Negative Harmony Mirror Harmony Lesson: How and Why it works

“Mirror” Harmony:SCALES:

Here we will take a brief look at the major scale modes and their “Mirror” effect via inversion. When we employ contrary motion we get the same intervals descending as we do ascending. So for example if the Lydian scale ascends T T T S the scale below descends exactly the same with TTTS.

Other way around:

The Dorian mode being “Palindromic” produces the same scale either way.

Scale extension: 13 note scale

AUDIO of SCALE extension:

Polytonality and Polymodality Mirror Harmony with Scale:

Each mode of the major scale has it’s mirror [modal] opposite because the whole diatonic scale system can be symmetrically inverted.

Inverted Symmetrical Reflection. The intervals are the same both in harmonisation and contrary motion.

mirror-harmony-polytonality-music-scales

OR:

Lydian-Locrian=Mirror pair

Ionian-Phrygian=Mirror Pair

Mixolydian-Aeolian=Mirror pair

Dorian-Dorian=Palindromic [Produces the same scale either way].

Major scale mirrors

Polymodality modal mirrors

Hungarian Minor Polytonal mirrors

Polytonality exotic scales

enigmatic-scales-Superlocrian-scale- lesson — Polytonal Exotic Scales

Polymodality Modes in contrary motion

polymodal-scale-example — Polymodal “Contrary Motion” example

NEGATIVE HARMONY

Through inversion we find the opposite of the C Major Scale

Here we see the opposites in the chords with Minor Reflecting Major and Major reflecting Minor. Diminished stays the same though.

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Alternate Picking Groups of 6 notes for Jazz/fusion guitar

Posted on July 30, 2023August 10, 2023 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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Alternate Picking Groups of 6 notes for Jazz/Fusion Guitar

IMPORTANT: Please watch the video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at using groups of 6 notes for double timing in Jazz/Fusion.

Although these are sextuplets I am using them as a double timing musical tool and hence thinking of them slightly differently. This is because I am using a tempo marking of 100Bpm.

Why would I do this?

The reason being – Around this tempo demisemiquavers or 32nd notes might be too quick to play and offset the rhythm too much:

Alternate-Picking-Groups-6 notes-fusion-guitar

and 16th notes [tetrachords] may be too draggy and not pushy enough.

So, grouping 6 notes together over [1 crotchet] or 1 quarter note works really well rhythmically for clear cut phrasing. This is the sort of thing Al Di Meola or John McLaughlin would do.

You can count this how you want. Below are some common examples.

Alternate-Picking-Groups-6 notes-fusion-guitar-counting-time

In order to get forward momentum and shift the grouping along it is a really good idea to “Accent” the third note in each six note grouping: This also gives you a reference point and avoids muddying the groupings of notes.

Alternate-Picking-Groups-6 notes-accents-accenting

EXERCISE 1:

Here is the first exercise starting on a down stroke with strict alternate picking:

Alternate-Picking-Groups-6 notes-fusion-guitar-exercise

EXERCISE 2:

In the next exercise the second part goes the other way on the guitar fingerboard.

EXERCISE 3: EXTENDED LONG LINE:

This is an extended exercise with strict alternate picking : Remember to count the groupings as you play to begin with so that you internalise them.