Lessons from Jazz/World to 20 Century Classical Music Harmony Rhythm and Theory
Tag: music theory
How to apply it to the guitar fingerboard. jazz theory and improvisation in practice at the guitar fretboard. How chords are made. How to use scales. The modes of the major and melodic minor scale. Altered chords and scale lessons.
Just a quick iim7b5 V7+ IMaj7 guitar lick in the style of John McLaughlin.
This employs alternate picking starting on a downstroke:
The first bar moves between D dorian mode and F melodic minor scale.
The next bar employs tetrachords with Eb pentatonic, C minor pentatonic and Dorian b2/C melodic minor leaning for an altered sound. [This resolves the flattened third to a B natural in the last tetrachord].
How to use the “CHROMATIC SCALE” in Jazz Improvisation
Please watch video above for in depth analysis:
Hi Guys,
Today we will look at applying the simple half step chromatic scale to jazz improvisation. This in turn will be reflected in the alternate picking guitar technique:
So, we will look at two parts,
1] Harmonic Aspect-Set-UP-Theory
2] Technical Execution-Set-Up-Instrument
The analysis will be detailed through this 2 5 1
How to use the “CHROMATIC SCALE” in Jazz Improvisation
MUSIC THEORY: Chromatic Scale:
How to use the “CHROMATIC SCALE” in Jazz Improvisation
If we look at the first bar we will see 4 note groupings “Tetrachords”. These groupings are made of semitones [chromatic scale].
Outlining chord with the chromatic scale for jazz improvisation
What you will notice is that they “Outline” the Chord DmMaj7. This makes the ear follow the direction of the line in relation to the harmony so that it is not just aimless semitones strung together, but a connected line with a definite direction that resolves into an arpeggio.
Outlining chords with the chromatic scale
These chromatic semitones in groups of 4 are “Even” Patterns and hence easy to alternate pick as the are all the same “Down Up Down Up”.
4 note chromatic grouping for alternate picking guitar technique
In the next bar we see the same technique: The chord is outlined again with 4 note chromatic scale groupings.
Outlining chords with the chromatic scale
Finally we come to the last bar. This time we employ outlining by moving the chromatic scale up in minor 3rds [Diminished 7th].
Outlining chords in minor 3rds [Diminished 7th] with the chromatic scale
In order to execute this type of playing it is essential to accent the 1st and the 3rd notes of each 4 note grouping. This will create a fluid rhythmic sound and hold the tempo tight.
Alternate Picking jazz guitar technique
If you watch the video at the top of the page you will see how the fretting hand works:
Here is the fretting technique that I employ in the video that sync’s the left hand with the right hand alternate picking:
