![](https://jazzimproviser.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/yt_logo_rgb_light.png?w=794)
Please watch video above for detailed info:
Hi Guys,
Today, we will look at some of John McLaughlin’s rhythmic guitar concepts.
Here’s how John makes interesting rhythmic riffs by employing a bar of 7 to a bar of 8:
![john-mcluahglin-rhythm-guitar-lesson-tab](https://jazzimproviser.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/screenshot-2023-09-19-at-08.41.27-1397805195-e1695135530350.png)
This could also be counted as: 15/16 to 16/16 [in groups of 3 to groups of 4 in the next bar]:
![john-mcluahglin-rhythm-guitar-lesson-tab](https://jazzimproviser.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/screenshot-2023-09-19-at-08.57.00-1.png)
OR: Groups of 4 with the last being a 3 grouping [or one note missing in a 4/4 bar]
![john-mcluahglin-rhythm-guitar-lesson-tab](https://jazzimproviser.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/screenshot-2023-09-19-at-08.59.36-1.png)
The chords I have employed are from Shakti’s composition “Face to Face”.
![john-mcluahglin-rhythm-guitar-face-to-face-chords](https://jazzimproviser.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/screenshot-2023-09-19-at-11.55.53.png)
In order to turn this around I employ a simple piece of descending bass scale:
![john-mcluahglin-rhythm-guitar-lesson-tab](https://jazzimproviser.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/screenshot-2023-09-19-at-11.56.07.png)
2 Bar Sequence:
![john-mcluahglin-rhythm-guitar-face-to-face-chords](https://jazzimproviser.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/screenshot-2023-09-19-at-09.31.44.png)
VARIATION
Here is a variation with the bass scale played in the treble and the first chord being a quartal voicing for Em:
![john-mcluahglin-rhythm-guitar-lesson-tab](https://jazzimproviser.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/screenshot-2023-09-19-at-08.46.37-1.png)
STRUMMING RIFF 2:
In this next example we employ 2 simple chords of A Major and D Major: The key is in the open strings that are played in between these chords at a fast tempo.
![john-mcluahglin-rhythm-guitar-lesson-tab](https://jazzimproviser.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/screenshot-2023-09-19-at-09.10.41.png)
The key to executing this=”Down Up” alternate strumming all the way:
STRUMMING RIFF 3:
Lastly, we will finish with another of John’s alternate strumming favourites which employs the open strings concept once again: [“Down Up”] etc- all the way.
![john-mcluahglin-rhythm-guitar-lesson-tab](https://jazzimproviser.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/screenshot-2023-09-19-at-09.20.29.png)
PDF DOWNLOAD:
If this Lesson was of use to you then PLEASE SUBSCRIBE to us below on YOUTUBE, THANKS!
![](https://jazzimproviser.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/yt_logo_rgb_light.png?w=794)