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Master “McLaughlin” style Hexatonic Guitar Techniques for Smooth Playing

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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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:

hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

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:

hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

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

hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

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.

hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

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:

hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

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

hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

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

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Enhance Your Compositions with Polytonality Techniques

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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Polytonality: For Concerto/OrchestralWriting lesson

Please watch the video above for detailed analysis:

Hi Guys,

This is the Re-Post that you requested.

[for All other Blogs- list here is the link https://jazzimproviser.com/pdf-downloads/]

PART 1:

What is Polytonality?

Polytonality is the use of two or more keys at the same time:

Example 1:

Db Major/C Major [Basic root position]

poly-tonality-orchestral-composing-chords-example

In this first example we have 4 bars of Polytonality with Eminor/DbMajor and EbMajor/CMajor

Sheet music showing a polytonal example with E minor/Db Major and Eb Major/C Major labels.
Musical notation illustrating polytonality with E minor/Db Major and Eb Major/C Major.

This then resolves itself with a “Tonal” diatonic cadence of B7/D# to Em:

This method is really useful because we can use the polytonal approach sparingly with it’s thicker and richer harmonic texture whilst then then playing its opposite it with the thinner aspect of diatonicism.

This way the Polytonal nature of the music compliments the diatonic cadences and visa versa.

Example 2:

Polytonality-Orchestral Example

This example explores “Implication”. In this case it is implying the melodic minor but avoiding the cliche by employing the richness of Polytonality:

Sheet music showing C# minor, Fm7, A minor, Ab Major, and Gm6/A chords with annotations as examples for polytonality.
Musical notation illustrating chord progressions in polytonality, featuring C# minor, Fm7, Aminor, Ab Major, and Gm6/A.

From here, we will again employ diatonic harmony for a cadence.

To complete this short orchestral example we will go back into Polytonality with another melodic minor implication by employing Dminor/DbMajor:

Sheet music showing the chord labels 'D minor' and 'Db Major' in red text to demonstrate polytonality.
Musical chart depicting D minor and Db Major for a polytonal music example.

Here is the chart:

poly-tonality-orchestral-composing-example

Example 3:

Polytonality-Orchestral Example

In this final example we will just “Reverse” the chords. This time it is DbMajor/Cmajor which is then played the other way around with CMajor/DbMajor.

polytonality-orchestral-composing-chords-example

finally, we will employ a slash chord for an “Implied” cadence: This will also lighten the harmony:

Musical notation of a slash chord labeled 'G/C' with staff lines and symbols.
Illustration of a G/C slash chord as notated in music theory.

Here is the Chart:

polytonality-orchestral-composing-example

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

polytoanlityDownload

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

Alternate Picking from Ascending 5’s

Posted on 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.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

Here’s how it would be as a tetrachord to the next beat. [As opposed to a quintuplet or Ta ka di mi Thom.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

EXAMPLE/EXERCISE 1:

Let’s now build off of the ascending 5 figure.

In the example below, we can clearly see the extension from the 5’s to 7’s to two groups of 4 note tetrachords.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

From here, we will add a Dom7th chord to the scale/phrase.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

This sets us up nicely to descend smoothly starting on the upstroke.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

EXAMPLE/EXERCISE 2:

Here, we will do exactly the same thing, except that this time we are moving from G7 to C Major. [Notice the open string and 5 figure extended].

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

Once again, the descent is on the upstroke.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

FULL EXAMPLE:

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

EXAMPLE/EXERCISE 3:

Here, we see the process in action again. The line building from the 5 figure.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

The descent starts on the upstroke as before, but, this time leads to a perfect V I cadence:

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

VARIATION:

Here is a variation, but, this time in the key of A Major.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

The same form of descent is employed that once again ends in a V I cadence.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

5-GuitarDownload

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