2 Part Counterpoint Guitar Strumming

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

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2 Part Counterpoint Guitar Strumming: songwriting guitar style lesson

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at contrapuntal 2 part guitar strumming. This involves employing contrary motion technique where 2 parts move in different directions

This is not traditional Bach counterpoint but using and exploiting what works naturally on the guitar’s traditional tuning EADGBE.

In the first exercise we will just pluck some simple 2 part voicing’s leading to a plagal cadence.

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

In the next exercise we will brings out the inner voicing’s whilst strumming rhythms on all the guitar strings.

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

Now, we will move up to the next three strings and strum some more patterns.

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

In the following exercise you will see how easy it is to create contrary motion through the different registers with the plectrum as [simple dyads or] 2 note voicing’s.

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

Now, we will move up to the first and second strings,

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

Here is a chordal variation with an added pedal note:

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

The next example is in G major and produces a really lovely sound that resonates on the first two strings.

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

Let’s now add a G pedal: Notice the ascending [but falling] scale motifs:

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

Finally, we can employ another useful technique by using a pedal note with a chord. This is not contrapuntal, but it is useful for creating a clear sense of harmony with rhythmic drive.

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Here we will add a little a “Down Down Up” plucked triplet motif to break it up.

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Full Exercise:

pedal-strumming-guitar-lesson

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

Jazz Guitar Alternate Picking Exercises: ii V7 i [Double Time]

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

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Jazz Guitar Alternate Picking Exercises: ii v7 I [Double Time]

Hi Guys,

Today, we will look at some alternate picking guitar technique exercises for jazz improvisation when double timing

We will exploit ii V7 I’s as a basis for honing our alternate picking skills whilst employing 4 note tetrachord groupings.

In the first exercise it’s a good idea to accent the third note in each four note grouping. We are also starting on a downstroke:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies

Here is the same exercise but with a variation in the second bar:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies
jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies

The next exercise will employ groups of 6 notes called sextuplets: As an exercise we will start with an “Upstroke” this time. This will be played over an AmMaj7 pad:

First Part:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies-sextuplets

2nd Part:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies-sextuplets

Full Exercise/Line:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies-sextuplets

The following exercise uses some chromatic movement that smoothly connects to pentatonic movement starting on a downstroke:

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies
jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies

In our final exercise we will join together some of these principles.

jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies-double-time
jazz-guitar-alternate-picking-lesson-exercies-double-time

This was just a brief look at how to create alternate picking guitar exercises for improvisation through chord changes by applying simple patterns/fingerings that work naturally.

This was only around 140 bpm. But, this is essential before moving onto much quicker tempos with the alternate picking guitar technique.

With the 4 note “Tetrachord” groupings you will get fluidity through the changes. They will give you stability. They can then be broken up to create anticipation and syncopation-which will in turn create the natural expression of musical phrasing.

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

Mark Koch “Melodic minor studies”

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

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Hi Guys,

Here is a “Melodic minor” study sent to me by Mark Koch that you might find interesting and useful:

Bar 1:

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Bar 2:

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Bar 3:

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Copyright Mark Koch 2004

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