Tag: technique

Guitar Imitation: Effective Octave Shifting Exercises with Alternate Picking:

Posted on by Modern Music Theory and Application

PLEASE: Watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at employing imitation, through the registers of the guitar fingerboard.

This is a useful device for imitating bits of scale by shifting the fingering [[the same fingering in a lot of cases] up an octave each time.

EXAMPLE 1:

In the first example we will take a 3 note triplet figure and “Copy/Imitate” it up an octave each time.

The key is to hold the shape/fingering and slide the hand up without taking it off the guitar fingerboard onto the next position [up an octave].

So, here we have the pitches E F G and we take that fingering and slide it up to the next position.

Sheet music notation displaying downstroke and finger positions for alternate picking guitar playing.

Here, is the next position, an octave higher:

Musical notation showing a 3-note triplet figure on the guitar fingerboard.

Now, we copy/imitate it again, up another octave higher:

Sheet music showing guitar fingerings and notes, with a focus on triplet figures and octave transpositions.

Finally, I don’t have enough notes on the guitar to copy it exactly, so, I play something similar to finish the phrase.

EXAMPLE 2: Anacrusis/Up-Beat

Here, is a variation of the above, but, with an upbeat on the open D string. This, also starts on an“Up” stroke.

Sheet music diagram illustrating a guitar lesson with notations for triplet figures and up-beat alternate picking technique sequences.
Musical notation example illustrating an upbeat and open string technique for guitar playing.

Finally, we have another variation but this time we do this by employing 16th notes and two open string connections.

Musical notation example showing 16th notes with arrows pointing to specific notes for alternate picking guitar technique.
Example of 16th note guitar technique, showcasing notes and finger placement.

EXAMPLE 3: High to Low Movement:

In this last example, we will go the other way.

This time, we will start high and descend lowering the phrase.

Guitar sheet music showing a descending phrase notation, with labeled sections indicating 'Descending'.

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Master “McLaughlin” style Hexatonic Guitar Techniques for Smooth Playing

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Modern Jazz Fusion Chords part 2. Steely Dan, Dan Chord and Slash Chords

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hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

Please watch video above for in depth analysis:

Hi Guys,

Today a quick look at connecting “Hexatonic” groupings together with strict alternate picking guitar technique.

The key is to glide or slide or let the fretting hand fall naturally into each position. This way the connections are made smoothly.

If the fretting hand panics, or releases from the position then it will fall apart: So connecting SMOOTHLY from each 6 grouping to the next= The Key

This is the same process as connecting 4 note groupings “Tetrachords” but we have 2 extra notes to contend with:

hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

Because we have the 2 extra notes Hexatonics work well at a slower tempo’s like 100 to 120 Bpm for Fusion double timing:

EXERCISES:

Here is the first Exercise/Example: This starts on a down stroke with strict alternate picking:

hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

Notice, that in the second bar we have an arpeggio/triad figure:

hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

This arpeggio can throw your alternate picking because it breaks up the scale momentum. So, you have to prepare for it and be aware that there is a quick change of movement in the fretting hand as you cross the strings.

Exercise 2:

Here, we have an ascending exercise that connects together easily and naturally.

Again, it starts on a downstroke with strict alternate picking.

hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

Here is the same exercise, but, with a VARIATION at the end:

Exercise 3:

Finally, we have an example that employs the downstroke and the upstroke:

Hence, we start on a downstroke and then have a short rest and then commence starting on an upstroke:

Here is the first part starting on a downstroke:

hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

Next, we have a rest and then start the next part on an upstroke to complete the exercise:

hexatonic-guitar-exercises-alternate-picking-examples

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Modern Jazz Fusion Chords part 2. Steely Dan, Dan Chord and Slash Chords

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Alternate Picking from Ascending 5’s

Posted on by Modern Music Theory and Application

PLEASE WATCH VIDEO ABOVE FOR DETAILED INFO:

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at building from the “Ascending group of 5” with alternate picking guitar technique.

This group of 5 exploits the “Up” stroke. It works well as a tool for building longer and longer lines/phrases.

This is NOT shred and is really only for jazz, fusion and world-esque music like John McLaughlin’s super creative outlet Shakti. It is an improvisers tool.

ASCENDING 5:

Here is an example of the 5 figure. It consists of an open string and starts on an upstroke.

This 4 note + 1 sets up the upstroke for the string cross.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

Here’s how it would be as a tetrachord to the next beat. [As opposed to a quintuplet or Ta ka di mi Thom.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

EXAMPLE/EXERCISE 1:

Let’s now build off of the ascending 5 figure.

In the example below, we can clearly see the extension from the 5’s to 7’s to two groups of 4 note tetrachords.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

From here, we will add a Dom7th chord to the scale/phrase.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

This sets us up nicely to descend smoothly starting on the upstroke.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

EXAMPLE/EXERCISE 2:

Here, we will do exactly the same thing, except that this time we are moving from G7 to C Major. [Notice the open string and 5 figure extended].

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

Once again, the descent is on the upstroke.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

FULL EXAMPLE:

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

EXAMPLE/EXERCISE 3:

Here, we see the process in action again. The line building from the 5 figure.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

The descent starts on the upstroke as before, but, this time leads to a perfect V I cadence:

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

VARIATION:

Here is a variation, but, this time in the key of A Major.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

The same form of descent is employed that once again ends in a V I cadence.

alternate_picking_guitar_technique_example

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