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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Don Mock: Target Tones Book and C.D Review:

Don Mock “Target Tones” Bok and C.D Review

Hi Guys,

Some of you have asked me if there is a good resource for mastering target tones or jazz chromatics on the guitar.

The good news is yes there is!…

But, it is out of print

Although, You might find a Pdf or cheap copy on the internet, Amazon or Ebay.

Okay, so what resource is this?

Well, this resource is a book with C.D written and performed by brilliant jazz guitarist and teacher supreme Don Mock.

don-mock-target-tones-book-CD-review

The difference between this book and most other books on jazz and chromaticism is that Don shows the “Theory”. This makes it easy to understand.

The key is this: The first three notes set up and target the chord tone that is on the beat:

Here, it is on beat 3 in red.

don-mock-target-tones-book-CD-review

Here, is a second target melody: Again, we see the same set up:

Despite the chromaticism/target tones you can clearly see the outline of the arpeggio in red.

The arpeggio tones are “On” the beat: That is beats 1 and 3.

Lastly, notice the upbeat/target melody in bar 1 that sets this process in motion:

As a final example, [and also where this book is in a league of its own] is in the manipulation of double timed 16th note phrases.

This time the target melody or target tones outline the C Major scale:

Again, the notes of the scale are in red and are played “On” the beat and this time there are 4 scale tones per bar.

Again, notice the set up in bar 1:

When you have this down then you can start to manipulate the target melodies and try placing them in different parts of the bar.

Also, when you are fluent you can start to break the rhythm up and exploit the rhythmic phrasing.

This was just a brief look at Don Mocks excellent book/C.D “Target Tones”. I am not promoting this book or in any way involved with it, but, as I am always asked for a great resource to learn jazz chromatics on the guitar I felt that this would be of great help to anyone confused or trying to understand the theory behind it.

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Jazz II V I Improvisation Book Review.

This is a very useful book if you are “New’ to jazz improvisation. It covers all of the needs of the beginner as it starts with the classic II V I cadence. It then progresses through the II V I with various altered dominants, different scale choices and chromatic embellishments. There is also a written harmonic explanation for each variation.

The other half of the book goes through modes, scales, chords, arpeggios, triad pairs and all of the essential music theory and explanations for quality jazz practice. This also helps the reader to make sense of the harmonic alterations,scale choices and substitutions commonly found in the world of jazz improvisation and apply them.

The book is available in AMAZON CLICK

TOTAL II V I JAZZ PUZZLE: Improvisation Guitar Practice & Theory
TOTAL II V I JAZZ PUZZLE: Improvisation Guitar Practice & Theory

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