Chords of guitarist John McLaughlin Lesson and Examples
IMPORTANT: Please watch video above for detailed info:
Hi Guys,
Today, we will look at some more Modern Jazz Fusion Chords.
These are primarily based around a MajorTriad [played] over a different bass note: Commonly called “Slash” chords.
Here, are some essential common slash chords employed in/for reharmonisation.
PART 1:
The first chord we will investigate is the tri tone concept of C/F#.
This unique voicing creates a colourful dissonant timbre.
In this example we have a 2nd inversiontriad of C Major played over an F# bass note.
Chord diagram and tablature for the C/F# slash chord, highlighting its bright voicing and tritone
Next, we will examine the most common slash chord type.
This is the 7 Sus 4 chord. And, in this case it will be C/D. They may be played in succession or as a substitute for a dominant chord. [for example C/D instead of D7]
This type of chord is heard a lot in pop songwriting, but is also highly prominent and best known for the sequence in Herbie Hancock’s composition “Maiden Voyage”.
Maiden Voyage Herbie Hancock 7sus Chord Example
[What you will start to notice is that the Major triad has a lovely bright quality when played over a different bass note]:
Here, is the guitar voicing with a root C Major chord over a D bass.
Guitar chord diagram illustrating the C/D slash chord for modern jazz fusion.
The next chord is the classic Dominant 7th in its 3rd inversion.
Generally in Fusion these chords do not resolve and/or are played once again in succession.
For, our example we will employ a triad of D Major with it’s 7th [C] in the bass
D/C slashchord diagram illustrating voicing and finger placement for guitar.
Next up, we have one of John McLaughlin’s favourite Slash Chords.
This is an Eb triad over an E [up 1/2 step] bass. [This is also known as a13b9 that works well with the diminished scale].
Slash chord diagram illustrating the Eb triad over an E bass note by jazz guitarist John McLaughlin.
Here, we have an interesting chord that is also a favourite of the late great jazz guitarist Pat Martino.
With the open E note resonating in the bass this produces an extremely beautiful set of tone colours in one chord.
Slash chord diagram depicting Fmaj7b5/E on guitar for modern jazz fusion.
In order to create that big ethereal/dissonant sound let’s exploit John Mclaughlin’s unique nylon string guitar voicing.
This is a B Major triad over a C Bass. [This also works well with the open E string ringing out].
Slash chord diagram illustrating the B/C chord voicing for guitar, showcasing positions and finger placements.
Finally, we will manipulate another tri-tone voicing:
This will be a less bright but highly resonant sound with a root F# triad over a low G bass note.
F# triad diagram over a low G bass note for creating a slash chord
PART 2:
Okay, you might ask. What do we do with these chords?
How to we compose with them?
Re- harmonise with them?
Actually use them?
Well, firstly, lets take a basic/common chord sequence like,
iii Vi ii V7 I
Slash chord modern fusion substitutions and reharmonisation
For the first chord we will employ a C6/9, but, we will only use the E A D G tones and create a “Quartal” sound.
From here we will move a tri-tone away from the Am7 chord and employ an Eb triad. We will still establish the dominant in the bass by employing the 5th note of Am7, [the note E] hence we have Eb/E.
For chord ii [Dm7] we will have a C triad over an F bass note acting as a First inversion Dm7 chord. [You could also think of this as having an added 9th and 11th]
The dominant chord will now have the dominant root in the bass with a Db Major triad, [a flat 5th/tri-toneaway] on top in the treble.
This then returns to the CMaj 6/9 tonic chord
Below is another example:
Notice, the reharmonisation and how the basic chords are exploited with colourful slash chords.
Example of reharmonisation using colorful slash chords in a blues 12-bar structure.
THE BLUES
To complete this, let’s put them into a blues 12 bar structure [turn around] so that you can clearly see how to create composition from them:
Blues chart example showcasing slash chord substitutions and harmonic rhythm in a 12-bar structure.
From the above chart notice that the first 4 bars are more of a long drawn out affair in the tonic key. Next, this is repeated in a similar fashion [or a variation] with chord IV of the key.
But, in the last four bars we exploit the harmonic rhythm to create drama and turn the music around.
A blues chart showcasing various slash chord progressions, highlighting ii, V7, iii, and Vi patterns.
BLUES CHART: Example,
Blues chart example showcasing substitutions and slash chord progressions.
IMPORTANT: Please watch video above for detailed info:
Hi Guys,
Welcome to part 2 of the John McLaughlin Modern Jazz Chords series.
First we will have a look at making chords from the whole step half step diminished scale:
The Diminished Scale
Musical notation displaying the diminished scale starting on the note C, for creating modern jazz chords.
Within this scale are lots of Triads: [for instance]
From these Triads we can add different Bass Notes and produce “Slash chords“
Chord progression showcasing slash chords derived from the diminished scale.
Okay, let’s take three triads with different bass notes and join them together:
Triads with different bass notes from the diminished scale, essential for creating ‘slash chords’ in jazz harmony.
It’s important to realise that because we are employing chords form the diminished scale we have minor 3rd movement.
So, let’s add a little melody within the chords: This is the way that John McLaughlin gets that lovely Bluesy feel within the harmony. Again, this is due to the way that the minor 3rd’s work within diminshed scale harmony.
Musical notation showing triad slash chords F/F#, D/Eb, and B/C with finger positions on a guitar tab.
Now let’s create a Blues Composition from this diminished scale.
Chord sequence with diminished scale harmonies for a blues composition.
For the last 4 bars we will make the Harmonic Rhythm Quicker by adding a new chord sequence that employs minor7 flat 5’s with slash chords.
Chord progression using diminished scale triads creating slash chords
JOING CHORDS WITH SCALIC FRAGMENTS
It’s a good idea to join chords together with fragments of the diminished scale: This is also extremely useful when creating composition;
Musical notation illustrating John McLaughlin’s chord scale in a diminished scale context.
2x scale to chords:
All 12 Major Triads over One Note [C]
Here is an excellent exercise for hearing how all 12 major triads sound over the same single note;
Exercise showcasing all 12 major triads over the pedal note of C.
Lastly, here are some misellaneous John McLaughlin guitar chords:
Shakti Chord:
Diagram showing guitar tablature and notation for the Open E “Shakti” McLaughlin chord
Harmonic minor scale chords:
Example of harmonic minor scale chords for guitar, showcasing the E/A chord.
E/A
Guitar chord diagram for slash chord E/A, illustrating finger positioning and fret numbers.
E/C
Musical notation for slash chord taken from the harmonic minor scale.
Lastly, From the Whole Tone scale [Notice: 1 tone movement]
Musical notation example featuring chords from the whole tone scale..Musical notation demonstrating John McLaughlin’s slash chord sequences
