Easier way to improvise with Music Modes [Guitar]

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Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at another way of exploiting modes/improvisation on the guitar fingerboard.

We will be creating music via concepts/musical tools based on this minor shape.

minor-topic-pat-martino
simplified-modal-guitar-explanation

Why do this?

Because with this 5 fret shape arpeggio we can easily create:

simplified-modal-guitar-explanation

So, for instance in C Major [Ionian] we can take chord iii and Vi arpeggio shapes as a solid base and create/develop improvisation-as opposed to learning millions of scale/mode shapes/patterns etc.

minor-topic-guitar-modes
simplified-modal-guitar-tablature

With this as a base we can develop proper musical lines and rhythmic phrasing

Before we start it’s important to see how easily chords iii and Vi link together:

simplified-modal-guitar-explanation

Example:

modes-guitar-simplified-tab

The first thing to be aware of is the basic pentatonic’s right under our fingertips with this arpeggio shape:

[These pentatonic’s give us some basic building blocks from the outset]:

guitar-modes-pentatonics
guitar-modes-pentatonics
guitar-modes-pentatonics
guitar-modes-pentatonics-simplified

QUARTAL SOUNDS

Next let’s add some 4ths for a Quartal jazz/fusion-esque sound:

Descending:

guitar-modes-4ths-jazz-simplified

Ascending:

guitar-modes-4ths-jazz-simplified

With extension

guitar-modes-4ths-jazz-simplified

Basic Quartal fingerboard movement:

guitar-modes-4ths-jazz-simplified

CYLE OF 4THS

Another thing to take into consideration is the cycle of 4ths under our fingertips:

cycle-4ths-guitar-modes

Remember that we can also make these, major, minor, diminished or augmented:

For instance all major:

cycle-4ths-guitar-modes

All minor

cycle-4ths-guitar-modes

[This gives us even more colour and choices for chromaticism/chromatic movement right under our fingertips once again]

TARGET TONES/APPROACH NOTES [JAZZ CHROMATICS]

Below, we can see the set-up for target tones with this Em arpeggio shape:

target-tones-modal-guitar-explained

We can also add some chromatic notes to this to create a longer jazzy-esque line:

target-tones-modal-guitar-explained

String Skipping Petnatonic’s

String skipping works well because it removes familiarity/cliches from the ear:

Here are two examples:

modal-guitar-string-skipping

Example 2:

modal-guitar-string-skipping

PAIRING TRIADS

Lastly pairing triads works really. Here is a Lydian example:

triad-pairs-modes-guitar-simplified

conclusion

This blog has only really touched on this way of thinking, but, you can see how easy it is to make connecting lines and musical phrasing and how to exploit improvisation tools from this simple minor arpeggio shape.

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Mastering String Skipping: Fripp/Martino-Style Guitar Techniques

Hi Guys!

Here is the TAB/Notation for the “String Skipping” exercise in the style of guitar great Robert Fripp.

This 12 tone concept was taken from the brilliant 12 chromatic forms of jazz great Pat Martino.

string-skipping-guitar-lesson-example

I am staring this little etude/exercise on an “Up” stroke with alternate picking guitar technique.

string-skipping-guitar-lesson-example

As an example here is the first part:

string-skipping-guitar-lesson-example

The key to be aware of, is the exploitation of “Octave displacement”. This creates unique harmonies and S.A.T [B] style lines.

string-skipping-guitar-lesson-example

As you can see, in the diagram above this is just the chromatic scale, but, moving/resolving through the different registers.

This octave displacement technique, offers us a way to create/extract interesting colourful music from the chromatic scale, whilst, keeping us far away from one string banality.

Although, there is octave displacement, there is also some basic scale parts to link it all together:

I am starting both of these scale fragments on an“Up” stroke with strict alternate picking once again:

fripp-guitar-scales-exercise-alternate-picking-guitar-technique

Also, the last part descends back into the chromatic scale to tie the [Composition] etude back together and give clarity to the ear, and let it know that we are still in an atonal chromatic form.

string-skipping-guitar-lesson-example
string-skipping-guitar-lesson-example
string-skipping-guitar-lesson-example
fripp-guitar-scales-exercise-alternate-picking-guitar-technique

How to play Shakti Indian Guitar Scales

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at the first of a few Shakti Indian guitar scales for tabla and guitar improvisation.

The first one that we will look at today is the A Mixolydian Mode exploited in a pentatonic form.

Here, is the basic scale ascending. The G natural gives the unique flavour and colour as it possesses the dominant sound, but, in a non resolving from.

how_to_play_shakti_indian_guitar_scales_lesson

In this first exercise we will descend with the A mixolydian mode and employ imitation with the pentatonic form.

This example exploits strict alternate picking guitar technique. And, it works really well for two reasons:

A] It start on an “Up stroke”

B] It starts in the bar and on the “Off” beat

This creates a nice, smooth phrasing and is easy to copy and repeat down the octave.

how_to_play_shakti_indian_guitar_scales_lesson

As you can see below, it is repeated, and copied down an octave starting on the upstroke and on the off beat:

how_to_play_shakti_indian_guitar_scales_lesson

Finally, a variation/implication of this is played, due to the guitar running out of notes to fully copy it.

how_to_play_shakti_indian_guitar_scales_lesson

In this next example we will vary what we have just played in the example above.

But,

with two differences,

A] We will start on a “Down” stroke

B] We will play “On” the beat.

how_to_play_shakti_indian_guitar_scales_lesson

As with the previous example, we will now imitate what we have just played and copy it exactly down an octave:

how_to_play_shakti_indian_guitar_scales_lesson

Here, is another form/fingering of the scale in descent: Notice that this is starting on an “Up” stroke.

how_to_play_shakti_indian_guitar_scales_lesson

And finally, an ascending form/sequence starting on a “Down” stroke.

how_to_play_shakti_indian_guitar_scales_lesson