Apologies for not creating video’s recently, but I have had a serious internet/creator burn out [hard to believe I know, but it’s been difficult to get motivated]. Also, the heat here in the UK has made even practicing difficult as it’s gone up to 37/38 degrees at times.
But, I will eventually add a video for these wonderful John McLaughlin “Open” chord voicing’s found in “Belo Herozonte” and the “Que Alegria” album.
So, without further ado, here they are.
[Some are quite common and others not so, but they all resonate and compliment each other beautifully on the acoustic guitar].
OPEN CHORDS:
John’s favourite chord shape [for acoustic]
Same shape from 4th fret
Simple 2 finger shape
Same/but move finger up a step [to/with 4th finger]
IMPORTANT: Please watch video above for detailed info:
Hi Guys,
Welcome to part 2 of the John McLaughlin Modern Jazz Chords series.
First we will have a look at making chords from the whole step half step diminished scale:
The Diminished Scale
Musical notation displaying the diminished scale starting on the note C, for creating modern jazz chords.
Within this scale are lots of Triads: [for instance]
From these Triads we can add different Bass Notes and produce “Slash chords“
Chord progression showcasing slash chords derived from the diminished scale.
Okay, let’s take three triads with different bass notes and join them together:
Triads with different bass notes from the diminished scale, essential for creating ‘slash chords’ in jazz harmony.
It’s important to realise that because we are employing chords form the diminished scale we have minor 3rd movement.
So, let’s add a little melody within the chords: This is the way that John McLaughlin gets that lovely Bluesy feel within the harmony. Again, this is due to the way that the minor 3rd’s work within diminshed scale harmony.
Musical notation showing triad slash chords F/F#, D/Eb, and B/C with finger positions on a guitar tab.
Now let’s create a Blues Composition from this diminished scale.
Chord sequence with diminished scale harmonies for a blues composition.
For the last 4 bars we will make the Harmonic Rhythm Quicker by adding a new chord sequence that employs minor7 flat 5’s with slash chords.
Chord progression using diminished scale triads creating slash chords
JOING CHORDS WITH SCALIC FRAGMENTS
It’s a good idea to join chords together with fragments of the diminished scale: This is also extremely useful when creating composition;
Musical notation illustrating John McLaughlin’s chord scale in a diminished scale context.
2x scale to chords:
All 12 Major Triads over One Note [C]
Here is an excellent exercise for hearing how all 12 major triads sound over the same single note;
Exercise showcasing all 12 major triads over the pedal note of C.
Lastly, here are some misellaneous John McLaughlin guitar chords:
Shakti Chord:
Diagram showing guitar tablature and notation for the Open E “Shakti” McLaughlin chord
Harmonic minor scale chords:
Example of harmonic minor scale chords for guitar, showcasing the E/A chord.
E/A
Guitar chord diagram for slash chord E/A, illustrating finger positioning and fret numbers.
E/C
Musical notation for slash chord taken from the harmonic minor scale.
Lastly, From the Whole Tone scale [Notice: 1 tone movement]
Musical notation example featuring chords from the whole tone scale..Musical notation demonstrating John McLaughlin’s slash chord sequences
