Simplify Guitar Chromatics with Easy Fingering:

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Hi Guys,

Today, we will employ chromatics [Target Tones]to a simple guitar fingering/scale that everybody knows.

Yes, this is our old mate the A minor Pentatonic scale.

Before we start: Both fingerings are essential and very useful, but, in different instances.

Okay, let’s compare fingering.

Below, is the more “Traditional” fingering:

mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-chromatics-lesson-explained-example

Now, let’s simplify this with a more intuitive John McLaughlin style guitar fingering. [2 fingers to 2 fingers with a slide].

mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-chromatics-lesson-explained-example

We will now now apply this to the simple A minor Pentatonic scale guitar shape.

mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-chromatics-lesson-explained-example

Here, we will employ a “Side Step” with chromatic target tones for more interest and chromatic colour.

mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-chromatics-lesson-explained-example

This time we will extend the line with an upbeat of 4 chromatic descending notes starting on the note D as the tonic:

mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-chromatics-lesson-explained-example

Lastly, let’s try this over a ii V7 I [Dm7 G7 CMaj7]

mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-chromatics-lesson-explained-example
mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-chromatics-lesson-explained-example

This simple minor pentatonic guitar scale/shape allows us an easy way to employ chromatics and chromaticism by exploiting it with what we are already very familiar with.

This familiarity means that it is not only easier to learn, but, also, easy to remember. Hence, we can apply it to any strings of the guitar and create some colourful and interesting sounding lines.

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Syncopation/off beat LESSON for playing the guitar part 1

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How to Anticipate/syncopate and use anacrusis at the guitar in Music

OFF-BEAT PLAYING

In order to play “Off” the beat you must first establish the “On” beat. This way you can anticipate or push the music/melody/riff or motif along and then return to the established “On” beat.

how, to ,play, on the, off beat, in, music, example
How to play on the beat and off the beat in music with chords.

When beat one is established we can then push any beat from there on. The key is then to return to the “On” beat to start the next phrase or vamp or piece of music.

If you play “Off” the beat continuously the syncopation/anticipation will be lost.

In order to fully comprehend off-beat playing it is an extremely good idea to learn and practice the two most common essential rhythms in every way possible, both in the bar and across the bar line. But, always coming back to the “On” beat for the start of the new phrase.

Rhythm 1

how, to ,play, on the, off beat, in, music, example
How to play on the beat and off the beat in music with chords.

Rhythm 2

how, to ,play, off beat, in, music, example
How to play on the beat and off the beat in music with chords.

You can change the harmonic rhythm or join the rhythms together and create vamps or phrases.

Example:

how, to ,play, off beat, in, music, anticipation, syncopation, example
How to play on the beat and off the beat in music with chords.

Example:

how, to ,play, off beat, in, music, anticipation, syncopation, example
How to play on the beat and off the beat in music with chords.

Mixing Both Rhythms Together:

how, to ,play, off beat, in, music, anticipation, syncopation, rhythms, example
How to play on the beat and off the beat in music with chords.

Now we will add a bass push/anticipation: [Notice the BASS note is “Tied” across the bar line].

how, to ,play, off beat, in, music, anticipation, syncopation, rhythms, example
How to play on the beat and off the beat in music with chords. [Anticipation]

In this example we will add a short “Melody” to a chord:

how, to ,play, off beat, in, music, anticipation, syncopation, rhythms, melody, jazz,example
How to play on the beat and off the beat in music with chords/Melody

Here are a set of variations on a chord change:

Variation 1:

how, to ,play, off beat, in, music, anticipation, syncopation, rhythms, example
How to play on the beat and off the beat in music with chords.

Variation 2:

guitar, vamp, set, up, example
On the beat

Variation 3:

how, to ,play, off beat, in, music, anticipation, syncopation, rhythms, example
How to play on the beat and off the beat in music with chords.

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