improvisation – Page 2 – Modern Music Theory Improvisation and Application

Master “McLaughlin” style Hexatonic Guitar Techniques for Smooth Playing

Posted on July 9, 2025 by Modern Music Theory and Application

hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

Please watch video above for in depth analysis:

Hi Guys,

Today a quick look at connecting “Hexatonic” groupings together with strict alternate picking guitar technique.

The key is to glide or slide or let the fretting hand fall naturally into each position. This way the connections are made smoothly.

If the fretting hand panics, or releases from the position then it will fall apart: So connecting SMOOTHLY from each 6 grouping to the next= The Key

This is the same process as connecting 4 note groupings “Tetrachords” but we have 2 extra notes to contend with:

Because we have the 2 extra notes Hexatonics work well at a slower tempo’s like 100 to 120 Bpm for Fusion double timing:

EXERCISES:

Here is the first Exercise/Example: This starts on a down stroke with strict alternate picking:

Notice, that in the second bar we have an arpeggio/triad figure:

This arpeggio can throw your alternate picking because it breaks up the scale momentum. So, you have to prepare for it and be aware that there is a quick change of movement in the fretting hand as you cross the strings.

Exercise 2:

Here, we have an ascending exercise that connects together easily and naturally.

Again, it starts on a downstroke with strict alternate picking.

Here is the same exercise, but, with a VARIATION at the end:

Exercise 3:

Finally, we have an example that employs the downstroke and the upstroke:

Hence, we start on a downstroke and then have a short rest and then commence starting on an upstroke:

Here is the first part starting on a downstroke:

Next, we have a rest and then start the next part on an upstroke to complete the exercise:

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Easier way to improvise with Music Modes [Guitar]

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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IMPORTANT: Please watch video above for detailed info:

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.

Why do this?

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

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.

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:

Example:

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]:

QUARTAL SOUNDS

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

Descending:

Ascending:

With extension

Basic Quartal fingerboard movement:

CYLE OF 4THS

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

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

For instance all major:

All minor

[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:

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

String Skipping Petnatonic’s

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

Here are two examples:

Example 2:

PAIRING TRIADS

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

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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Alternate Picking from Ascending 5’s

Posted on April 27, 2025April 27, 2025 by Modern Music Theory and Application

PLEASE WATCH VIDEO ABOVE FOR DETAILED INFO:

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at building from the “Ascending group of 5” with alternate picking guitar technique.

This group of 5 exploits the “Up” stroke. It works well as a tool for building longer and longer lines/phrases.

This is NOT shred and is really only for jazz, fusion and world-esque music like John McLaughlin’s super creative outlet Shakti. It is an improvisers tool.

ASCENDING 5:

Here is an example of the 5 figure. It consists of an open string and starts on an upstroke.

This 4 note + 1 sets up the upstroke for the string cross.