Tag: indian guitar scales

Indo-Jazz-Fusion Guitar Techniques with Shakti Examples

Posted on by Modern Music Theory and Application

Please watch video above for detailed info and examples:

Hi Guys,

Here, are the Shakti/John McLaughlin Guitar examples of Indo-Jazz-Fusion lines and chordal approaches.

EXAMPLE 1:

Repeated note: “Raga” style line and scale development.

shakti_indo_jazz_fusion_guitar_lesson

From here, we have a descending pentatonic scale:

shakti_indo_jazz_fusion_guitar_lesson

EXAMPLE 2:

Shakti style “Chordal Voicing” for chordal arpeggio picking. [See video]

shakti_indo_jazz_fusion_guitar_lesson

EXAMPLE 3:

Ascending and Descending alternate picking guitar line.

shakti_indo_jazz_fusion_guitar_lesson

To answer the ascent, we will now descend to complete the phrase:

shakti_indo_jazz_fusion_guitar_lesson

EXAMPLE 4:

Here, we have some more harmony to create with chordal picking guitar technique:

shakti_indo_jazz_fusion_guitar_lesson

EXAMPLE 4:

Next we have a variation of example 3.

shakti_indo_jazz_fusion_guitar_lesson

Once again, to complete the phrase we will employ a scale. This time though, it’s an A Major Dominant scale in descent:

shakti_indo_jazz_fusion_guitar_lesson

EXAMPLE 4:

First inversion chord, slash chord, 3rd inversion:

shakti_indo_jazz_fusion_guitar_lesson

EXAMPLE 5:

Variation line once again, this time starting with an Em arpeggio:

shakti_indo_jazz_fusion_guitar_lesson

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How to play Shakti Indian Guitar Scales

Posted on by Modern Music Theory and Application

Please watch video above for detailed info:

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.

“The guitar technique employed is strict alternate picking”.

A MIXOLYDIAN:

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

DESCENDING SCALE:

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.

EXERCISE 1:

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

Counting Time example:

EXAMPLE 2: “Down” Stroke

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.

EXERCISE 2:

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

Counting Example:

QUICK SCALE FINGERINGS:

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

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“Shakti/McLaughlin” Mid Tempo Guitar Exercise [Alternate Picking]

Posted on by Modern Music Theory and Application

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, a short “Mid-Tempo” [around 140bpm] JohnMcLaughlin/Shakti style alternate picking guitar exercise for scale connections in the fretting hand.

This is in regard to crossing the strings and connecting different scale fragments together.

BAR 1:

The first concept is that of employing the open string. This gives the fretting hand a hundredth of a second to rest and hence easily get into position to fret the next note at a mid and fast tempo.

Note: fourth 16th note = Open String

shakti-mclaughlin-indo-jazz-guitar-exercise

In the next part, we can see both open strings employed to make it easy for the fretting hand to get into position and connect to the next scale fragment.

The last note in the bar, the open B natural, makes it easy for us to cross the string smoothly.

shakti-mclaughlin-indo-jazz-guitar-lesson

Here, is the first bar complete:

shakti-mclaughlin-indo-jazz-guitar-exercise

BAR 2:

In this bar, we employ semitones as they are easy to finger/fret, and, also to cross the guitar strings when descending.

shakti-mclaughlin-indo-jazz-guitar-exercise

Extended Variation:

Here, is an extended variation that employs the same alternate picking John McLaughlin concepts that we have just looked at:

john-mclaughlin-indian-guitar-scales

IN CONCLUSION:

These simple concepts for the fretting hand when alternate picking might not seem much, but, they are the little hinges that swing the big door when holding the tempo together. Especially, when playing with a tabla/drum.

It also makes it easier for the right picking hand to pluck the strings as the fretting hand is not under pressure, and, there are spaces for the fretting hand to rest and get into position.

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