shakti – Modern Music Theory Improvisation and Application

Shakti Guitar Motif/Fingering “Essential” Scale Connections

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Modern Music Theory and Application

Please watch short video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

This John McLaughlin guitar motif/fingering made famous from his video “This is the way I do it” is something I get asked about a lot.

The reason being, is that it is unique in the way that the alternate picking and the fretting hand can produce really fast/quick compositional and improvisational lines.

For this blog, I am going to exploit the use of imitation/repetition to get the fingering and concept across.

2nd FINGER:

The second finger [Yes, that one] is the one that crosses and falls into position and interrupts scale cliches and creates all sorts of odd timing and fluid raga-esque phrases.

EXAMPLE: As employed in the John Mclaughlin scale:

Ascending:

Here, is the simple 4 note 16th grouping that we will exploit:

PART 2:

In this first example we will start a simple phrase with a five note pattern. Rather than carry the scale on, we will interrupt it with a 4 note scale motif that we will repeat/imitate:

EXAMPLE 1:

Starting on an Upstroke:

Sheet music displaying John McLaughlin Guitar Fingering Lesson for Indian Shakti style guitar

As you can tell, the 2nd finger makes it really easy to cross over the strings and connect to the next repeated motif:

In the next example, we will take this even further and keep extending it.

Extended further:

Now, let’s start the alternate picking and pick the phrase starting on a down stroke:

Sheet music showingJohn McLaughlin guitar fingering and alternate picking guitar Shakti Indian Mixolydain example in tab and notation

IN CONCLUSION;

Although, this is only a short blog, there is a wealth of information contained within this simple concept as it means that the fretting hand can create/sustain long [as John calls them] fluidity lines.

Of course, the notation/intervals can be changed, these are only examples. But, when the fretting hand is comfortable then the picking becomes a lot easier and feels natural.

This idea can also be applied to the other fingers in various ways, BUT, the second finger is magical in the way that it opens up lots of lines that would otherwise be difficult to play.

Pdf

Motif Download

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Counting Rhythms for Alternate Picking Guitar “Right Hand” Technique:

Posted on April 18, 2025April 18, 2025 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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Hi Guys,

Here are a few of the Rhythms that I like to count and/or practice when alternate picking:

These are based around Indian Konokol: But: I am using them to INTERNALISE patterns. This could be Ta ka di mi but felt/internalised as du du du du–

WHY is this?

It’s because I am in “Standard” tuning and the syllables of the counting help to “Connect” quick rhythmic patterns together to create “Musical phrasing” for composition and improvisation.

These, I find help me enormously with the right hand picking, as I can connect phrases together from the internalised beats/syllables.

These are NOT cast in stone and are only a few ideas that I use personally, and are not aiming at strict Indian classical music technique, but, are employed as reference points/patterns/beats in the way that they are enunciated.

4 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi [1 2 3 4]

2] Ta ki ta Ta [more as 123 1]

5 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi thom [1 2 3 4 5]

2] Ta ka di mi Ta [1 2 3 4+1]

3] Ta ki ta Ta ka [1 2 3 1 2]

7 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi Ta ki ta [4+3]

2] Ta ka di mi thom Ta ka [5+3]

8 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi [4+4]

9 note grouping:

1] Ta ki ta Ta ki ta Ta ki ta [3×3]

2] Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi Ta [4+4+1]

11 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi Ta ki ta [4+4+3]

13 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi Ta [4+4+4+1]

16 note grouping:

1] Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi Ta ka di mi [4×4]

IN CONCLUSION:

These are only ideas that I personally find useful, and, as I say they are not for strict Indian classical music. But, they do function well as reference points and a way of enunciating beats for the picking hand to pluck at a fast [alternate picking] tempo.

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Mastering John McLaughlin’s Guitar Techniques

Posted on April 11, 2025April 18, 2025 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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Hi Guys,

Today, Part 2 of the alternate picking patterns/numbers for John McLaughlin style guitar playing/picking.

PART 1:

Ta ka di mi thom Extensions:

These are all building off of the number 5 and starting on the “Up” stroke for strict alternate picking guitar technique in standard tuning:

Example 1: Basic quintuplet-Ta ka di mi thom