picking technique – Modern Music Theory Improvisation and Application

Robert Fripp Flat 5th “Tri-tone” Guitar Technique: Exercise 1

Posted on October 5, 2024October 5, 2024 by Modern Music Theory and Application

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, a look at the Robert Fripp flattened 5th [tri-tone] guitar shape and its right hand picking patterns, rhythmic concepts and single note lines and chordal applications.

GUITAR LINE: EXERCISE:

In the first part we can employ, “Down down down up” or plain alternate picking:

From here we can either exploit the “Down Down up” pattern or once again employ our old friend alternate picking:

Also, notice how the rhythm is working. It’s a bit like triad pairs in the way it is counted, set up and felt. [It also creates a 1 2 3 effect]

We now carry this on and break it up with two 4 note groupings. [Finishing with 3 notes in the bass]

Flattened 5th shape as chords:

This shape can also be employed brilliantly for chords and chordal picking.

Here, we play all 6 strings on the guitar and leave the open E and B strings to resonate around the flat 5 shape.

This, then gives way for a quick fire ascension of the b5 shape:

We now shift the shape up higher and imitate the process:

And, move the figure up also,

To complete the phrase we will descend the b5 figure with strict alternate picking starting on a “Down” stroke:

From here, we will break it up with a group of 4 notes employing Down Down Down Up to 3 notes with Down Down Up:

To:

And finally, finishing with four Am9 chords:

CONCLUSION:

This example/exercise was just to exploit the b5 shape and show what is possible both rhythmically and in terms of the right hand picking techniques.

The key though is to employ and develop it sparingly. This way it can cause surprise and rhythmic interest.

It’s a really useful guitar tool for composition and creating a unique and individual voice for the serious creative guitarist.

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

fripp-guitar-b5 Download

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Al Di Meola Arpeggio Inversions on Guitar: Techniques and Variations

Posted on July 11, 2024July 11, 2024 by Modern Music Theory and Application

Al Di Meola Arpeggio inversions: Right hand guitar technique lesson

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, a look at picking arpeggio inversions on the guitar. This is in the more recent style of Al Di Meola’s nylon string guitar playing/composing.

Okay, Let’s get started!

The main guitar picking pattern is “Down Down Up” and the variations of this naturally occur form the music itself.

Here is the basic pattern:

This simple “Down Down Up” patten means that the final upstroke makes it easy to pluck the next downstroke on the lower strings.

Arpeggio inversions:

To begin with lets play a simple F Major arpeggio in the root, 1st inversion and 2nd inversion:

As you can see and hear the “Down Down Up” works smoothly with the basic F major arpeggio inversions.

CHORD SEQUENCE

Now, let’s pick a chord sequence and vary the picking set up and pattern:

Basic Down Down Up: F root, E7 1st inversion, Am root:

Now, we will add an open E string for a syncopated rhythmic off beat set up,

You will also notice the two upstrokes on the high B and C notes. This makes it easy to descend with the pick/pattern whilst anticipating the next chord:

This time we will employ the 1st open E string and do the same thing:

EXTENDING THE HARMONIC CHORD SEQUENCE

We will now extend this chord sequence with more arpeggio inversions to outline the chord sequence.

So, G7 1st inversion, C Major root, A7 1st inversion to D minor root:

Let’s extend this some more.

C7 1st inversion, F Major root, D13 1st inversion:

We now have

Here is the Full Sequence:

With Open Strings added:

A couple of variations:

This example makes use of triple upstroke picked to create beautiful melodic movement:

Finally, we will exploit A augmented 1st inversion going to D minor root: Also, notice the single note melodic rise of the high notes.

IN CONCLUSION

In conclusion, these are just a few examples of the beauty and fluidity of following arpeggio inversions for melodic composing and performing at the guitar.

This way of playing smoothly through the inversions works really well with the guitar pick, and as you can see in the examples the inversions can be manipulated rhythmically with anticipation/syncopation.

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

arpeggio inversions Download

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Eric Johnson’s Guitar PATTERNS: LEARN THE SECRET TO HIS STYLE!

Posted on December 19, 2021January 20, 2022 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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Eric,Johnson, Guitar, Patterns,Modern, Pentatonics, picture, — Eric Johnson The subject of this Guitar Pentatonic Patterns Blog

Eric Johnson Guitar Patterns Pdf Downloads

Eric-Jonson-Guitar-Patterns ERIC JOHNSON GUITAR PATTERNS PDF Download #1

Eric-Jonson-Guitar-Patterns ERIC JOHNSON GUITAR PATTERNS PDF Download #2

In the first example we see a minor pentatonic pattern moving in groups of three notes that displaces the rhythm. This creates a unique fresh sound to the most used scale on the guitar. The rhythmic displacement also pushes the rhythm along. Also notice the use of the interval of a perfect 5th.

Eric Johnson 3 note Guitar Pattern lesson example:

Eric, Johnson, Guitar, Patterns, Example, — Eric Johnson 3 note pentatonic guitar patterns. How he does it Lesson

In the next example we can see how Eric Johnson uses 4 note guitar patterns. He also uses the interval of a perfect 4th which creates motivic movement.

Eric Johnson 4 note Guitar Pattern lesson example

This next example shows how Eric Johnson takes the most overused cliche on the guitar [the minor pentatonic] and exploits the intervals to create a fresh and unique sound.

Eric Johnson intervallic manipulation:

Eric, Johnson, Guitar, Pentatonics, Example, — Eric Johnson intervallic pentatonic guitar patterns. How he does it Lesson.

In this last example we can see how Eric Johnson employs the interval of a perfect 4th again, but, this time with arpeggios and inversion that creates a melodic sound to the ear. Again this moves us far away from the minor pentatonic cliches.

Eric Johnson 4ths and arpeggios guitar pattern