Tag: right hand technique

Mastering John McLaughlin’s Guitar Motif Techniques Part 2:

Posted on by Modern Music Theory and Application

Hi Guys,

Here, is the extended version for the 2nd finger John McLaughlin motif:

MOTIF:

The motif is a 4 note [Tetrachord] in 16th notes- D C# D E

John McLaughlin shakti guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

Notice that this starts with the 2nd finger on the first note:

Now, let’s extend this and add a “set up” by employing the Mixo-lydian mode to create a more Indian/Shakti flavour to the phrase:

I am starting this on an upstroke with strict alternate picking guitar technique:

John McLaughlin shakti guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

This time, we will replicate/imitate the 4 note motif and use it as material to create/extend the phrase into a longer line.

John McLaughlin shakti guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example for guitar fingering

Below, is the full line/lick:

John McLaughlin shakti guitar motif and fingering lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

Let’s now, extend the motif and descend as far as we can down the fingerboard with the motif:

John McLaughlin shakti guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

Finally, we will add our little set-up and create a full phrase:

John McLaughlin shakti guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

MOTIF: Starting on a down stroke:

We can also start on a downstroke. This works best and is most natural when picked/phrased in triplets/sextuplets like this:

John McLaughlin alternate picking guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

Full Phrase starting on a downstroke:

John McLaughlin shakti alternate picking guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

IN CONCLUSION:

This little motif/concept is only a small detail, but, it is a good representation of how a lot of material can be created/repeated or imitated from such a small cell. It is like a little hinge that can swing a big door.

This way of building solid lines is really useful for the alternate picking guitar technique as it means that we can unfold material quite easily and if we ever do get lost we can slot back in with simple motif material and rebuild our phrases and keep our lines going.

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

motifDownload

ASC/DESC:

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Alternate Picking Leverage:Open String Concept:

Posted on by Modern Music Theory and Application

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Just, a quick response Blog to a video I made about employing the “Open” [2nd] string ascending with alternate picking guitar technique.

Why do this?

The main reason that this works, is because it is an “Even” grouping, and, by plucking the open 2nd string it gives the fretting hand a fraction of a second to relax and get into position.

This in turn gives us some natural and excellent leverage. This also, means that we have the “Up” stroke to descend with.

This technique works really well for the precise picking passages both in Fusion and World Music, like, for example the precise lines of McLaughlin’s “Shakti” compositions.

This extra note, or even pattern, works in principle like a Be bop scale in that the extra note creates a smooth picking line for the right hand.

EXAMPLE 1:

4 note “Even” Pattern:

Here, we can see the employment in action by crossing with the open B string on the “Upstroke”.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_expalained

This gives us, the 4 note “Even” grouping.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_expalained

EXAMPLE 2:

In this example, we can see where the “Up” stroke occurs, which, sets us up nicely to descend:

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_expalained

Here, is the whole scale passage.

Also, notice that the open B string is “Off” the beat.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_expalained

EXAMPLE 3: Descending:

There are, other open strings that we can exploit. But, for the sake of a quick response blog we will just look at one more idea and that is for descending:

Here, will will pluck the open G string and then add a chord. [Again, notice the the open string is off the beat]

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_expalained

Finally, let’s extend this:

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_expalained

Conclusion:

This is only touching the surface. There are many variations on this and any string can be employed both ascending and descending.

Now, you might say what if the open B note isn’t in the key? Well, this doesn’t matter as it is only one note and can add colour. John McLaughlin does this to great effect. Also, due to the picking and the velocity the ear of the listener is not really affected, it’s very difficult to tell.

Lastly, this is not a shred gimmick or a means of tremolo picking and trying to play fast. It is a concept for really precise picking awkward lines, when, for instance you are doubling with a Sax or Piano or as a Rhythmic “Shakti” style line with a tight drum/drummer/percussionist.

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“Shakti/McLaughlin” Mid Tempo Guitar Exercise [Alternate Picking]

Posted on by Modern Music Theory and Application

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, a short “Mid-Tempo” [around 140bpm] JohnMcLaughlin/Shakti style alternate picking guitar exercise for scale connections in the fretting hand.

This is in regard to crossing the strings and connecting different scale fragments together.

BAR 1:

The first concept is that of employing the open string. This gives the fretting hand a hundredth of a second to rest and hence easily get into position to fret the next note at a mid and fast tempo.

Note: fourth 16th note = Open String

shakti-mclaughlin-indo-jazz-guitar-exercise

In the next part, we can see both open strings employed to make it easy for the fretting hand to get into position and connect to the next scale fragment.

The last note in the bar, the open B natural, makes it easy for us to cross the string smoothly.

shakti-mclaughlin-indo-jazz-guitar-lesson

Here, is the first bar complete:

shakti-mclaughlin-indo-jazz-guitar-exercise

BAR 2:

In this bar, we employ semitones as they are easy to finger/fret, and, also to cross the guitar strings when descending.

shakti-mclaughlin-indo-jazz-guitar-exercise

Extended Variation:

Here, is an extended variation that employs the same alternate picking John McLaughlin concepts that we have just looked at:

john-mclaughlin-indian-guitar-scales

IN CONCLUSION:

These simple concepts for the fretting hand when alternate picking might not seem much, but, they are the little hinges that swing the big door when holding the tempo together. Especially, when playing with a tabla/drum.

It also makes it easier for the right picking hand to pluck the strings as the fretting hand is not under pressure, and, there are spaces for the fretting hand to rest and get into position.

PDF DOWNLOAD:

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