ii V7 I – Modern Music Theory Improvisation and Application

Guitarist John McLaughlin’s use of the Diminished Scale for Chords and Improvisation:

Posted on March 12, 2025March 12, 2025 by Modern Music Theory and Application

Hi Guys,

Today, a look at how jazz guitar legend John McLaughlin makes cool and original sounding jazz lines from the diminished scale when improvising.

PART 1: CHORDAL SUBSTITUTIONS:

First of all, let’s apply a couple of Dim7 substitutions for the Dom7b9 chord.

In the example below, for the E7b9 chord we will employ Ddim7, Fdim7 chords over an E bass for a V to i cadence.

EXAMPLE 1:

Notice that the top line resolves:

john_mclaughlin_jazz_guitar_diminished_scale_chords_example

EXAMPLE 2: Shifting the diminished 7th shape up to resolve for V to i cadence

Once again, the top line has a smooth half step resolution:

CHORD APPLICATION PART 2:

This time, we will employ the Dom13b9 chord in a full ii V i cadence.

As, in our previous examples, acknowledge the descending chromatic movement– resolving in the top line.

john_mclaughlin_jazz_guitar_diminished_scale_example

PASSING CHORD:

This time, we will add a passing chord. This will be Eb7#9. This falls smoothly from the Em7 chord.

We will also add a little bit of bass movement.

Also, in this example, we have two 1/2 step resolutions in the top line.

john_mclaughlin_jazz_guitar_diminished_chords_example

Finally, we will exploit a Dom13#9 chord as part of the ii V I cadence. [Once again, notice the chromatic moment on the 1st string/top line as we ascend this time].

EXPLOITING THE SOLO LINE:

Another interesting concept that John employs, is to use the “Ultra Locrian” mode or the 7th mode of the harmonic minor scale when dealing with diminished chords.

Here is the scale/mode over an Adim7 chord.

ultra_locrian_scale_mode_john_mclaughlin_guitar_example

AVOIDING THE DIMINISHED CLICHE!

What puts John in a league of his own, is his avoidance of the usual tired diminished cliches .

Here, is an excellent example where John sequences in minor thirds. This though is an original, fresh and highly unique way of approaching diminished harmony and hence breaks the chain of cliches.

These 4 note groupings of tetrachords work great for sequencing with quick alternate picking guitar technique. [Starting on a down stroke]

THE INTERVALS: Key to creative lines

Looking at our example more closely we can clearly see the manipulation of intervals within the diminished scale/harmony.

This is what sets the great improvisers apart.

In this disguised manner the ascent in minor 3rds has a fresh interest to the ear due to the creative use of these intervals.

FULL ii V7 I Line

EXAMPLE 2

Here, we have the same thing in a different key:

Once again, acknowledge the use of intervals and tetrachords for rapid ascending movement with the picking hand.

Full Line:

IN CONCLUSION

This was just a quick look at how John McLaughlin exploits the diminished scale in interesting and unique ways that work extremely well not only for jazz, but, also specifically for the guitar.

John’s sequencing by exploiting 4ths, 3rds, triads and semitones creates an inspirational path, because it demonstrates that fresh life can be brought out from the diminished scale. This in turn makes the worn out cliches very easy to avoid.

FREE DOWNLOAD:

mcl dim Download

If this lesson was of use to you then please SUBSCRIBE to us on YOUTUBE below, Thanks!

Jazz Guitar Alternate Picking Exercises: ii V7 i [Double Time]

Posted on April 4, 2024April 6, 2024 by Modern Music Theory and Application

CLICK SUBSCRIBE!

Jazz Guitar Alternate Picking Exercises: ii v7 I [Double Time]

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, we will look at some alternate picking guitar technique exercises for jazz improvisation when double timing

We will exploit ii V7 I’s as a basis for honing our alternate picking skills whilst employing 4 note tetrachord groupings.

In the first exercise it’s a good idea to accent the third note in each four note grouping. We are also starting on a downstroke:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies

Here is the same exercise but with a variation in the second bar:

SEXTUPLETS EXERCISE:

The next exercise will employ groups of 6 notes called sextuplets: As an exercise we will start with an “Upstroke” this time. This will be played over an AmMaj7 pad:

First Part:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies-sextuplets

2nd Part:

Full Exercise/Line:

CHROMATICISM/PENTATONIC

The following exercise uses some chromatic movement that smoothly connects to pentatonic movement starting on a downstroke:

PENTATONIC/ARPEGGIO MOVEMENT

In our final exercise we will join together some of these principles.

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies-double-time

In Conclusion

This was just a brief look at how to create alternate picking guitar exercises for improvisation through chord changes by applying simple patterns/fingerings that work naturally.

This was only around 140 bpm. But, this is essential before moving onto much quicker tempos with the alternate picking guitar technique.

With the 4 note “Tetrachord” groupings you will get fluidity through the changes. They will give you stability. They can then be broken up to create anticipation and syncopation-which will in turn create the natural expression of musical phrasing.

Free PDF DOWNLOAD:

pdf-jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-exercises-Download

IF THIS LESSON WAS OF USE TO YOU THEN PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO US BELOW ON YOUTUBE, THANKS!

Alternate Picking Guitar Tetrachords Part 2

Posted on November 5, 2023November 23, 2023 by Modern Music Theory and Application

CLICK SUBSCRIBE!

alternate-picking-jazz-guitar-tetrachords-example

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

This is a response video to the previous video/blog. This is to explain and demonstrate the application of “Tetrachords” a bit further.

Here, I will add the video examples in Tab/Notation:

RECAP= What are Tetrachords:

“Tetrachords” are 4 note groupings to connect harmony/lines together for improvisation [and composition]

alternate-picking-jazz-guitar-tetrachords-example

When mastered they can be broken up into musical phrasing/punctuation:

Broken up/Shifted: Thus creating an upbeat

Notes chopped off in the bar: Creating space and rhythmic interest.

Breaking up the tetrachords like this helps to create smooth syncopations, anticipations or go the other way and play on the beat:

Now, let’s follow this through to a short extension of the phrase

Counting Time

As always it’s essential to count the time when doing this so that you know where you are in the phrase.

Alternate Picking Guitar Technique:

In this video and for these examples I am employing strict alternate picking starting on a “Down Stroke”. Down Up Down Up etc.

TETRACHORD EXERCISES EXAMPLES

Practicing ii V7 I’s and iii Vi ii V7 I’s in various guises will really help you connect and nail the changes with your alternate picking: Below is an example with II V7 I:

Connecting the “HARMONY”

Now, let’s connect the harmony/chords together via tetrachords: This first example is in the style of John McLaughlin.

alternate-picking-jazz-guitar-tetrachords-improvisation-example

Notice, how smoothly the pentatonic 4 note groupings connect together

This time we will take a more basic approach with very simple fretting/fingering:

In Conclusion:

So, even through these basic examples it’s easy to see how to exploit these 4 note groupings to nail the changes and then break them up into musical phrasing/punctuation: As a further resource I would recommend John McLaughlin excellent DVD called “This is the way I do it”