In this final part of alternate picking guitar techniques for jazz fusion improvisation. We again look at the style of John Mclaughlin in order to play through the changes with 4 groups of 4, or 4 tetrachords per bar.
We can now apply this to playing through complex chord changes at a fast tempo. In the example below we will take John Coltrane’s “Countdown” and play one chord per beat as an example for setting up these 4 x 4 note groupings [Tetrachords]for quick rapid improvisation at a super fast tempo.
Messiaen, Fripp, Mclaughlin, Schoenberg, 21st century harmonic concepts
In this blog we will look at improvising over one chord. This will be D minor [D Dorian].
Messiaen, Fripp, Mclaughlin, Schoenberg, 21st century harmonic concepts
The key is to use chromaticism, tertian harmony, superimposition and outside harmonic content in order to create interesting improvised lines and move away from the cliches of scales and modes to create originality.
For example:
Messiaen, Fripp, Mclaughlin, Schoenberg, 21st century harmonic concepts
The key for smoothness is to be aware of where the 1/2 steps [Semitones]are in the “Connections”.
If we look below we can see where the 1/2 steps connect and how to play off of the tonic note with this. In this case we play off of the tonic D note resolving straight into the Eb note for Eb melodic minor. We can then resolve down a half step to C#m and back down into D Dorian
Messiaen, Fripp, Mclaughlin, Schoenberg, 21st century harmonic conceptsFripp ,Brecker, Mclaughlin chromatic Improvising method for jazz fusion improvisationChromatic jazz improvisation Brecker, Mclaughlin and creative Fripp improvising concepts
So as you can see it is easy to weave in and out of the harmony and get back to D Dorian via the 1/2 step.
Fripp ,Brecker, Mclaughlin chromatic Improvising method for jazz fusion improvisation
Below is a line that beautifully weaves in and out of D minor
Messiaen, Fripp, Mclaughlin, Schoenberg, 21st century harmonic concepts
In this next example we will use tertian harmony and exploit superimposition. We will employ D melodic minor and and keep extending via C melodic minor.
Fripp ,Brecker, Mclaughlin chromatic Improvising method for jazz fusion improvisation
Now we will extend the whole line:
Fripp ,Brecker, Mclaughlin chromatic Improvising method for jazz fusion improvisation
As another idea, there are still useful concepts like “Target Tones”. These can be manipulated without resorting to cliches.
Fripp ,Brecker, Mclaughlin chromatic Improvising method for jazz fusion improvisation
Lastly we will exploit the use flat 5 concepts. In this case there is an Abmaj7/D and a Cmaj7/F# with which we can be creative.
Fripp ,Brecker, Mclaughlin chromatic Improvising method for jazz fusion improvisation
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Sextuplets John Mclaughlin guitar style into 4+2 Alternate Picking
In this post we will go one further than the last post. This time we will take a group of six [Sextuplets] and make a tetrachord and a half from it.
This will make 4+ 2 which will make us nail the changes with 4 notes on the first chord and 2 notes on the second chord with a short rest to reset our fretting hand to repeat the pattern again on the next two chords.
Alternate picking exercise warm up in Sextuplets/Triplets
Sextuplets John Mclaughlin guitar style into 4+2 Alternate Picking
Why do this?
Because the groups of six are quite easy to play on the guitar and there a heaps of variations on each pattern. They flow easily and can be alternate picked rhythmically to create musical phrasing.
The first pattern for playing through the changes in Sextuplets
Sextuplets John Mclaughlin guitar style into 4+2 Alternate Picking
The first pattern is now changed into 16ths. From 1 2 3 4 5 6 into 1 e and a 2 e
Sextuplets John Mclaughlin guitar style into 4+2 Alternate Picking
The second part of the chord sequence in sextuplets
Sextuplets John Mclaughlin guitar style into 4+2 Alternate Picking
The second pattern is now changed into 16ths. From 1 2 3 4 5 6 into 1 e and a 2 e
Sextuplets John Mclaughlin guitar style into 4+2 Alternate Picking
Finally, the full one bar alternate picking chord sequence nailing the changes
Sextuplets John Mclaughlin guitar style into 4+2 Alternate Picking
VARIATION:
Sextuplets John Mclaughlin guitar style into 4+2 Alternate Picking
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