Tag: indo jazz fusion

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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shakti_guitar_licksDownload

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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.

PDF DOWNLOAD:

shakti-mclaughlin-guitarDownload

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“Lotus Feet” Shakti Scale Solo Concepts

Posted on by Modern Music Theory and Application
Modern Jazz Fusion Chords part 2. Steely Dan, Dan Chord and Slash Chords

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Please watch video above for in depth analysis:

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at exploiting the Em scale for John McLaughlin’s and Shakti’s composition “Lotus Feet”.

The key to making a solo sound interesting is to highlight the prominent notes of the scale: In this case it is the semitones F# G and B and C.

lotus-feet-shakti-guitar-solo-how-to

Here are the semitones ascending:

Here, they are descending:

lotus-feet-shakti-guitar-solo-how-to

Also, take into consideration that the F# note will make the Cmaj7 Lydian:

lotus-feet-shakti-guitar-solo-how-to

Now, let’s add one extra note to the semitones and create an imitated phrase going through the octaves.

lotus-feet-shakti-guitar-solo-how-to

Now, we will connect some scale to the semitones ascending:

lotus-feet-shakti-guitar-solo-how-to

Here we will connect three tetrachords in 3/4 creating a smooth pentatonic style line:

lotus-feet-shakti-guitar-solo-how-to

ARPEGGIOS FROM THE SCALE:

Another key component when improvising is to exploit the arpeggios within the scale:

Two arpeggios that work well for this composition are Em and Bm:

lotus-feet-shakti-guitar-solo-how-to

E minor:

lotus-feet-shakti-guitar-solo-how-to

Mixing the scale with the arpeggio also works really well.

lotus-feet-shakti-guitar-solo-how-to

PENTATONIC’S FROM THE SCALE:

It’s always a good idea to have a few pentatonic’s from the scale at hand:

Here we can manipulate the Em, Bm, and Am to good effect. Again we can make them more unique by adding the semitones:

Em Pentatonic:

lotus-feet-shakti-guitar-solo-how-to

Bm Pentatonic:

lotus-feet-shakti-guitar-solo-how-to

Am Pentatonic:

lotus-feet-shakti-guitar-solo-how-to

Now, lets connect two fragments together:

lotus-feet-shakti-guitar-solo-how-to

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

lotus-feetDownload

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Modern Jazz Fusion Chords part 2. Steely Dan, Dan Chord and Slash Chords

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