indian guitar – Modern Music Theory Improvisation and Application

Mastering John McLaughlin’s Guitar Motif Techniques Part 2:

Posted on July 21, 2026July 22, 2026 by Modern Music Theory and Application

Hi Guys,

Here, is the extended version for the 2nd finger John McLaughlin motif:

MOTIF:

The motif is a 4 note [Tetrachord] in 16th notes- D C# D E

John McLaughlin shakti guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

Notice that this starts with the 2nd finger on the first note:

Now, let’s extend this and add a “set up” by employing the Mixo-lydian mode to create a more Indian/Shakti flavour to the phrase:

I am starting this on an upstroke with strict alternate picking guitar technique:

This time, we will replicate/imitate the 4 note motif and use it as material to create/extend the phrase into a longer line.

John McLaughlin shakti guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example for guitar fingering

Below, is the full line/lick:

John McLaughlin shakti guitar motif and fingering lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

Let’s now, extend the motif and descend as far as we can down the fingerboard with the motif:

Finally, we will add our little set-up and create a full phrase:

MOTIF: Starting on a down stroke:

We can also start on a downstroke. This works best and is most natural when picked/phrased in triplets/sextuplets like this:

John McLaughlin alternate picking guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

Full Phrase starting on a downstroke:

John McLaughlin shakti alternate picking guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

IN CONCLUSION:

This little motif/concept is only a small detail, but, it is a good representation of how a lot of material can be created/repeated or imitated from such a small cell. It is like a little hinge that can swing a big door.

This way of building solid lines is really useful for the alternate picking guitar technique as it means that we can unfold material quite easily and if we ever do get lost we can slot back in with simple motif material and rebuild our phrases and keep our lines going.

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

motif Download

ASC/DESC:

PATREON 2 Download

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

Counting Rhythms for Alternate Picking Guitar “Right Hand” Technique:

Posted on April 18, 2025April 18, 2025 by Modern Music Theory and Application

Please watch video above for more detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Here are a few of the Rhythms that I like to count and/or practice when alternate picking:

These are based around Indian Konokol: But: I am using them to INTERNALISE patterns. This could be Ta ka di mi but felt/internalised as du du du du–

WHY is this?

It’s because I am in “Standard” tuning and the syllables of the counting help to “Connect” quick rhythmic patterns together to create “Musical phrasing” for composition and improvisation.

These, I find help me enormously with the right hand picking, as I can connect phrases together from the internalised beats/syllables.

These are NOT cast in stone and are only a few ideas that I use personally, and are not aiming at strict Indian classical music technique, but, are employed as reference points/patterns/beats in the way that they are enunciated.

4 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi [1 2 3 4]

2] Ta ki ta Ta [more as 123 1]

5 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi thom [1 2 3 4 5]

2] Ta ka di mi Ta [1 2 3 4+1]

3] Ta ki ta Ta ka [1 2 3 1 2]

7 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi Ta ki ta [4+3]

2] Ta ka di mi thom Ta ka [5+3]

8 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi [4+4]

9 note grouping:

1] Ta ki ta Ta ki ta Ta ki ta [3×3]

2] Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi Ta [4+4+1]

11 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi Ta ki ta [4+4+3]

13 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi Ta [4+4+4+1]

16 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi [4×4]

IN CONCLUSION:

These are only ideas that I personally find useful, and, as I say they are not for strict Indian classical music. But, they do function well as reference points and a way of enunciating beats for the picking hand to pluck at a fast [alternate picking] tempo.

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