Fusion Guitar Lessons
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0:59
"Road Signs" - Playthrough
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Hi Guys!
Welcome to the tutorial!
This time around we'll be breaking down the meoldy from my tune "Road Signs".
Proceed to the following videos and we will begin the learning!
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1:24
"Road Signs" - Intro
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
So I thought I'd fill you guys in a little bit on the back story of this tune.
The thought process behind it was inspired specifically by three different players and two specific tunes.
I originally came up with the beginning of the melody after se...
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3:43
"Road Signs" - Breakdown Part 1
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
We'll start off the breakdown by discussing the first two bars of this melody. It starts off with the stacked 5th idea that originally took from Scott Henderson.
This first part is outlining an Amin11 chord. You can see this in the first 6 notes. Th...
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2:21
"Road Signs" - Breakdown Part 2
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Now we will move onto the next two bars of the main melody. Here we are outling a Dmin7 chord with some added extensions.
I'm starting with the same type of stacked 5ths idea that leads into further arpeggiations.
At this point we've learned half o...
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2:50
"Road Signs" - Breakdown Part 3
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
At this point we are at what sounds like a repeat but actually it is a variation on the main idea.
What I've done is added an odd time signature of 3/4 to the first half and then changed the melody slightly on the second half.
The main thing to not...
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4:25
"Road Signs" - Breakdown Part 4
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Now we'll move on to what I guess you could call the B section of this tune.
It's a simllar idea, seeing that there are still the continuous 8th notes happening during the melody, but now we'll modulate to the key of Bb Lydian.
The first run outlin...
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5:01
"Road Signs" - Breakdown Part 5
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
The final runs are the funnest part!
We'll start of with a triplet run through the Dm7b5 arpeggio.
After that, moving onto an F dorian run and finally leading into an E augmented run that emphasises the E7 alt chord that is taking place. ...
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0:57
"Road Signs" - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
And here we have the full backing track. Hope you enjoy! Full tab below.
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5:34
Odd Meters - 7/8 Funk Fusion Overview
Instructor: Nick Granville
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
In this lesson, I discuss playing a funk fusion 7/8 groove. I give examples showing the rhythm, how to feel the groove effectively, and how to solo over the meter.
Also, there is a backing track that goes with this lesson. Check it out, it's v...
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3:43
Odd Meters - 7/8 Funk Fusion Lick over 4/4
Instructor: Nick Granville
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
In this lesson I show how to play a 7/8 idea over 4/4. Don't forget to check out the backing track on the next page!
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3:34
Odd Meters - 7/8 Funk Fusion - Backing Track
Instructor: Nick Granville
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Here is the backing track that accompanies the lessons on 7/8 Funk Fusion. Enjoy!
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2:13
Sweeps a la Frank Gambale: Intro
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Hello again!
In this tutorial I'll be showing you how to approach a Frank Gambale style sweep using 4th voicings (please reference my tutorial on 4th voicings).
We'll be playing in the key of g major while focusing more on the relative A Dorian ton...
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3:33
Sweeps a la Frank Gambale: Breakdown
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
As I said earlier we are basing these shapes off of the 4th voicing shapes I taught in one of my previous tutorials.
Just to recap a little bit, 4ths voicing are stacked 4th intervals as opposed to stacked thirds that we would see in triads or 7th c...
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1:50
Sweeps a la Frank Gambale: Final Thought
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
I'd like to leave you with another way to approach using this type of sweep.
In the final example we will view the notes as being related to the (A minor) pentatonic scale rather than thinking of them as 4th voicings.
When we approach it this way w...
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2:34
The Half Whole Diminished Scale - Intro/Shapes
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Hello again!
This month we'll be talking about the half whole diminished scale.
I've been exploring this scale a little further as of late and have found a few new ideas I hadn't considered before. So I thought I'd share with you not on...
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2:56
The Half Whole Diminished Scale - Chord Situations
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
When is the best time to use this scale? The truth is, there are many situations where this scale could be useful but we will talk about my favorite situations. First off, let’s consider what scale degrees we have available.
In the Half whole ...
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2:37
The Half Whole Diminished Scale - Creating Lines
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
The two ideas I've chosen to discuss in this tutorial are the major triads that exist within the scale as well as the dominant 7b5 arpeggios that exist.
Starting with the major triads...
Due to the series of half steps and whole steps in this scale...
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1:37
The Half Whole Diminished Scale - Licks!
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
The following licks will utilize the dominant 7b5 arpeggios and will resolve to an A blues sound.
Pay close attention to the tabs. These licks do not start on a downbeat. Lick 1 will begin on the "and" of 1 and Lick 2 on the "and" of 4.
These licks...
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4:09
The Half Whole Diminished Scale - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Please enjoy this backing track to practice using the half whole diminished scale.
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0:39
Licking Up the Modes: Lydian - Intro
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
It's back!!!
"Licking Up the Modes" has shown itself once again! Finally moving onto Lydian!
Like the rest of the licking up the modes series, we'll be using C as our starting note so as to see the differences in each mode. (Parallel modes)
...
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1:58
Licking Up the Modes: Lydian - Lick 1
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
LICK #1
This lick uses two arpeggios that accentuate different tensions within Lydian.
The first is an Emin9 arp which includes the 3 - 5 - 7 - 9 - #11.
The second arp is a Gmaj7 arp which includes the 5 - 7 - 9 - #11.
As you can see, they are ba...
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1:55
Licking Up the Modes: Lydian - Lick 2
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
LICK #2
This lick is another that utilizes a couple arpeggios within C Lydian to accentuate various tensions.
The first arpeggio is a Cmaj9, which is comprised of scale degrees 1 - 3 - 5 - 7 - 9
Obviously this arpeggio is outlining the tonic chord...
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1:40
Licking Up the Modes: Lydian - Lick 3
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
LICK #3
Onto a triplet lick!
Again we will use the Cmaj9 arpeggio but this time we'll be using a slightly different shape, still in the same area of the neck.
This lick uses some intervallic ideas within the middle of the lick and ends with an F#m...
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3:04
Licking Up the Modes: Lydian - Lick 4
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
LICK #4
Our final lick is played using 16th note triplets and is substantially more difficult than the rest.
It's kind of in the style of Brett Garsed or Tom Quayle and utilizes more of the scale shapes, rather than various arpeggios like the other...
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4:01
Licking Up the Modes: Lydian - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Now it's time to practice the licks to a backing track. Have fun!
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0:59
"Up & Up" - Performance
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Hi guys!
For this tutorial I thought it would be fun to teach you my tune "Up & Up". I won't be covering the full song in this tutorial, just the main melody of the A & B sections. By request, I would gladly go over the rest of the song in a...
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2:16
"Up & Up" - A Section Breakdown - Part 1
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
We'll start by breaking down the "A" section melody. I see this as being the "main" melody of Up & Up.
This melody is in Em and is mainly based around an Em7 arpeggio and Em pentatonic.
Other than notes directly from an Em7 arp or the Em pentat...
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3:00
"Up & Up" - A Section Breakdown - Part 2
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Now onto the rest of the "A" section melody!
The chord progression for this section is E9 for three bars, and then on the 4th bar we have a syncopated progression of:
G/A - F/G - Ab/Bb - Bb/C
Each time these chords appear in the A section the melo...
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2:34
"Up & Up" - B Section Breakdown
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Now onto the "B" section!
The chord progression of this section is the same as every 4th bar of the A section, with a few added chords at the end of each phrase to accentuate the melody.
Again that is: G/A - F/G - Ab/Bb - Bb/C - C/D - Db/Eb - D/E (...
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1:03
"Up & Up" - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Have fun with the backing track guys! Practice hard!
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0:58
Chromatic Licks - Introduction
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Hey everyone! In this tutorial, I'm going to demonstrate 3 licks for you using chromaticism.
Bare in mind your visualization so that you may apply these licks to your playing more easily.
Once you've watched the intro video, let's head on over to t...
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0:35
Chromatic Licks - Lick #1
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
This lick is based on the pentatonic scale.
This lick is designed to show you how you can use the notes outside the key to fill in the gaps of the box shape!
Pretty cool!
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0:36
Chromatic Licks - Lick #2
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
In this example I'm ultilizing the "extended pentatonic" shape, filling in the gaps like in the previous example.
Only this time, we're going to shift this chromatic passage from right to left as we make our way down the scale.
This lick in particu...
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0:35
Chromatic Licks - Lick #3
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
And finally, Lick 3! You can think of visualizing this lick in 3-string groupings. Starting on the root in group 1. Playing the same sequence in group 2. Then, resolving to the root at the end of the sequence in group 3.
It's a very simple and cool ...
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2:12
Chromatic Licks - Backing Track
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Note: Try playing the licks in different time signatures and on different beats as well. For example, instead of playing starting from beat 1, see how it sounds starting from beat 2, or perhaps the "and of 3" or "e of 1, etc. This is in so many wa...
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1:30
Greg Howe Arpeggio Idea: Intro
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Hello again! In this tutorial, we'll be going over a Greg Howe style arpeggio idea that I like to use.
For this example, we will be using Diminished 7 arpeggios, that way we can expand further by moving each position over in minor 3rds. (3 frets)
T...
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1:30
Greg Howe Arpeggio Idea: Lick
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
On to the lick!
I'm hoping you've taken the time to master the actual arpeggio as it stands! If you have, you'll be ready to tackle this lick. Pay close attention to the tab. There are specific spots where the hybrid picking takes place.
As you can...
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1:17
Greg Howe Arpeggio Idea: Expanding on the Idea
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Now let's expand on this idea!
The easiest route to expanding this idea into something much larger is to slide the position around in minor 3rd. (3 frets)
Now if you decide to use this same idea with a Major 7 arpeggio or basically any other arpegg...
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1:20
Frank Gambale 7th Chord Arps Round 2: Intro
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Hello again!
In this tutorial we'll be learning another Frank Gambale sweep.
A few months back I covered a sweep idea in the style of Frank and this month we'll be talking about an arpeggio shape that you may have seen him use before.
Like always ...
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1:52
Frank Gambale 7th Chord Arps Round 2: Amaj7
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Our first arpeggio is of course A major 7!
As mentioned earlier pay close attention to the time to get the right hand picking down correctly.
Also, pay close attention to the fingering on the left hand. It stays pretty consistent up until the last ...
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2:05
Frank Gambale 7th Chord Arps Round 2: Bmin7 & C#min7
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Our 2nd and 3rd arpeggios happen to be the exact same shape.
As mentioned in the video make sure, when barring, to "role" your finger over each note to avoid notes bleeding into each other.
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2:51
Frank Gambale 7th Chord Arps Round 2: Dmaj7 & E7
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Onto our 4th and 5th arpeggio!
The D major will be the exact same fingering as our first A major arp so nothing too new there.
Our E7 arpeggio will be a new shape.
Make sure that you still use the same left hand fingering as the major 7 arpe...
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3:04
Frank Gambale 7th Chord Arps Round 2: F#min7 & G#min7b5
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
The final 2 arpeggios!
The F#minor7 is nothing new shape wise, so no explanation needed there.
The G#minor7b5 arpeggio will use a different fingering in the left hand.
Every other arpeggio we have started with our third finger but in this case it ...
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1:01
Free
Licks in the Style of Guthrie Govan: Lick 2
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Lick 2!
This is a fast one! I actually use this lick a lot in live situations.
The way I'm thinking of this lick is being based around three pentatonic shapes to which I've added either chromatics, the blues note, or notes from dorian.
Make sure t...
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1:07
Free
Licks in the Style of Guthrie Govan: Lick 3
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Lick 3!
This one is Guthrie at his core. It uses a lot of different techniques and some interesting note chooses.
The really nutty part is the sweep that happens in the middle of this lick. It utilizes the major 7 (G#), bringing outside for that on...
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1:07
Free
Licks in the Style of Guthrie Govan: Lick 4
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Lick 4
The last lick is a tapping lick that uses some 7th chord arpeggios.
Very similar to the video on Guthrie's arpeggios that a did I while.
If you've not mastered the technique previously it would be beneficial to take this slow and use each a...
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3:46
Free
Licks in the Style of Guthrie Govan: Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Have fun with the backing track guys. Practice hard!
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1:31
Licks in the Style of Greg Howe: Intro & Lick 1
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Hi guys!
In this tutorial we'll be covering licks in the style of the great fusion guitarist, Greg Howe.
Each of these licks uses some of Greg's most often used techniques like hybrid picking, hammer ons from no where, and tapping, just to name a...
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0:55
Licks in the Style of Greg Howe: Lick 2
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Lick 2!
This second lick is not only in the style of Greg Howe, I've heard Greg use a version of this lick many times.
The first half of this lick uses the pick, middle, and 3rd finger (right hand).
This lick also uses the famous Greg Howe slide v...
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0:57
Licks in the Style of Greg Howe: Lick 3
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Lick 3!
I transcribed this lick straight out of a Greg Howe solo.
Note that the theoretical explanation I give for this lick might not be how Greg sees the lick.
This lick is also considered an "outside lick", meaning that some of the ...
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1:04
Licks in the Style of Greg Howe: Lick 4
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
The fourth and final lick!
This lick is a pentatonic tapping lick that uses a lot of hammer ons from no where.
It is also very repetitive, playing the same basic idea on each string.
Also notice that each string switch starts with a hammer on from...
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10:06
Licks in the Style of Greg Howe: Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
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1:49
Tapping 7th Chord Arpeggios like Guthrie Govan: Intro
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Hello again guys!
In this tutorial we'll be discussing tapped arpeggios ala Guthrie Govan.
Tapping 7th chord arpeggios this way can give your line a very unique sound.
Keep in mind that all of these arpeggios are being played in 3rd inversion with...
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2:45
Tapping 7th Chord Arpeggios like Guthrie Govan: Cmaj7, Fmaj7
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
So onto our first 4 arpeggios diatonic to C major.
They again are Cmaj7 - Dm7 - Em7 - Fmaj7. ( I - ii - iii - IV )
Again these will all be played in 3rd inversion so:
Cmaj7 - BCEG
Dm7 - CDFA
Em7 - DEGB
Fmaj7 - EFAC
Make sure to play all of the...
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2:53
Tapping 7th Chord Arpeggios like Guthrie Govan: G7 - Bm7b5
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Now onto our other 3 arpeggios within C major.
G7 - Am7 - Bm7b5.
Again, in 3rd inversion.
G7 - FGBD
Am7 - GACE
Bm7b5 - ABDF
Same goes for these arpeggios, slow and dynamically even between each note!
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2:50
Tapping 7th Chord Arpeggios like Guthrie Govan: Licks
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
These licks are nothing special but I thought it would be a quick easy way to start using these arpeggios.
Remember to start slow and gradually speed up. Also, focus on keeping the taps, hammer ons, and pull offs dynamically equal!
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4:38
Tapping 7th Chord Arpeggios like Guthrie Govan: Backing
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Like I said this track may sound familiar since it has been used in several other of my tutorials but it fits since we're in C Major.
Enjoy! :)
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1:47
Licking Up the Modes: Phrygian - Lick 1
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
So our first lick is a 16th note run. The tempo I'm working with is 105bpm so these 16ths are a little slower.
Note that this lick does not start on a down beat but rather on the "a" of 2. (1 -e -& - a - 2 - e - & - a - 3 - e - etc...) ...
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2:08
Licking Up the Modes: Phrygian - Lick 2
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
The second lick is somewhat similar to the first lick except this time we are starting on the "e" of 1 (1 - e - & - a - 2 - e- & - a - 3 - e - etc...).
It is also a 16th note run just liike the first one. Also note that this lick does not en...
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1:26
Licking Up the Modes: Phrygian - Lick 3
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Alright, this is our first lick utilizing 16th note triplets. This one, like the others, is using a lot of different techniques like sliding, legato, and string skipping (sort of).
Pay close attention to the phrasing and work this one up to speed. S...
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1:33
Licking Up the Modes: Phrygian - Lick 4
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Another 16th note triplet run!
This one also using some different triad shapes but rolls off the fingers nicely once worked up to speed!
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2:05
Licking Up the Modes: Phrygian - Lick 5
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
So our final lick utilizing some "Frank Gambale" style sweeping.
If you've checked out last months tutorial you should have a head start at this lick.
Pay close attention to the tab and work on getting the right and left hand synced up.
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0:40
Licking Up the Modes: Phrygian - Outro / Demonstration
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Alright guys! Have fun with these licks!
Remember to start slow and work your way up to speed. There's no rush!
Phrasing is key! :)
Until next time, farewell!
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4:37
Licking Up the Modes: Phrygian - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
This backing track is a C Phrygian vamp.
Chords are Cm7 - Dbmaj7#11 in a loop.
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4:38
Frank Gambale Sweep Idea: Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Like I said earlier, this backing track is the same one for "Licking Up the Modes: Ionian".
It works perfect for our Frank Gambale lick, seeing that all the arpeggios are diatonic to the key of C Major.
Have fun!
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3:11
Licking Up the Modes: Dorian - Lick 1
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
When I wrote this lick I was thinking about large interval jumps so it starts with some minor 6ths. This lick is self explainitory but the last short bend is really what needs attention. Make sure to get the phrasing correct for that bend.
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2:05
Licking Up the Modes: Dorian - Lick 2
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Here is the first 16th note run. I use licks like this a lot. I bassically just travel down the dorian scale in this specific pattern (a pattern that I use a lot). There is a blues note added in this but otherwise it's only dorian notes. That minor b...
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3:36
Licking Up the Modes: Dorian - Lick 3
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
This 16th note run starts off very similar to lick 2. This pattern is something I do a lot and it bound to show itself in my licks. This lick has three different patterns happening that need close attention. It starts with a scale run (that I do a lo...
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3:25
Licking Up the Modes: Dorian - Lick 4
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
This lick is a 16th note run kind of inspired by Tom Quayle's playing. Starts off with a scale run and uses some Cm pentatonic ideas into an Am7b5 arpeggio. Feel free to end this lick however you'd like. I chose to hit a few pentatonic notes using qu...
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3:12
Licking Up the Modes: Dorian - Lick 5
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Here's another 16th note run that ascends in groupings of four notes. Each set of four is a different arpeggio. Pay attention to the notation / tab for this lick. I do a lot of hybrid picking in this lick and that is marked in the notation (not the t...
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0:45
Licking Up the Modes: Dorian - Lick Demonstration
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here is a demonstration of each lick with a little buit of improv involved. Adding simple bluesy endings to your licks can help to connect your ideas.
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4:15
Licking Up the Modes: Dorian - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
This backing track is a basic C dorian vamp. Practice each lick over this track and work on cennecting your ideas. A good way to do this is to have multiple ways of ending licks. Sometimes a few simple bluesy endings work well.
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2:54
Licking Up the Modes: Ionian - Lick 1
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
This first lick starts off with a C Major triad with a added 4 that resolves to the 3.
It then moves to some string skipping intervallic jumps.
Pay attention to the tab to see how it is picked.
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2:04
Licking Up the Modes: Ionian - Lick 2
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Lick 2 starts with some string skipping 6th intervals and then moves into A min7 land.
The string skipping at the beggining can be hybrid picked but also works with an upstroke.
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2:12
Licking Up the Modes: Ionian - Lick 3
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
We're hitting some more advanced territory with this 3rd lick.
It is specifically designed to utilize your middle and ring finger for hybrid picking.
Pay attention to the triplets that take place. Phrasing on this one can be tricky.
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2:31
Licking Up the Modes: Ionian - Lick 4
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
This lick is kind of in the style of Brett Garsed. There is a lot of legato happening here.
This whole lick is 16th note triplets, except for a short 16 note and 32 note chromatic run near the end.
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2:15
Licking Up the Modes: Ionian - Lick 5
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
This one is fast! A lot sweeping and economy type picking happening so pay attention to the tab.
It's all 32nd notes so take your time and slowly work it up to tempo.
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0:57
Licking Up the Modes: Ionian - Demo
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Here is the demo where I demonstrate all the licks over the backing track.
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4:38
Licking Up the Modes: Ionian - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here is the backing track. Enjoy and practice hard!
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0:45
Fusion Rock Solo over 7/8
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
In this lesson, we're going to learn a solo from a song I recently finished. The solo floats over a 7/8 time signature. If you aren't familiar with time signatures, you can check out a basic introduction here, or for an in-depth analysis check out th...
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0:34
Fusion Rock Solo over 7/8 - Backing Track (142bpm)
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Here is the backing track at the original speed of 142bpm. If you'd rather practice at a slower speed, head on over to the next page to access the backing at 92bpm.
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0:52
Fusion Rock Solo over 7/8 - Backing Track (92bpm)
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Here is the backing track slowed to 92bpm. Have fun!
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0:30
Chromatic Fusion Licks - Example 1
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Hey guys,
This tutorial includes a couple of short and shreddy fusion licks that make use of chromatic passing tones. The technique used varies for both licks, depending on the speed played. My advice is to use whatever technique feels natural, as o...
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0:35
Chromatic Fusion Licks - Example 2
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
This lick is quite a bit different from the first, and quite open to interpretation. First of all, I should mention that if you play this in straight 16th (as shown in the tablature) it will not come out right. I was unable to transcribe what I'm hon...
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0:39
Howe Fusion Licks - Lick 1
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Hey guys,
This tutorial is a 3-lick lesson, based on one of my main influences: Greg Howe.
All of the licks work over an A minor type groove, but also use passing tones, and some outside playing. I've also noted that the licks should (or can) be pl...
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0:51
Howe Fusion Licks - Lick 2
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
For the second example, I start with a Gmaj7 arpeggio, and move to Am with chromatic passing tones. Towards the end, I add in the raised 7th to give a different feel.
With the exception of a slide in the first arpeggio, I use straight alternate pick...
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0:55
Howe Fusion Licks - Lick 3
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
For the final example, I incorporate a typical slide lick that Greg often does. Simply put, you play your 'targeted note', pull off to a step below, and quickly slide back up to the original note. This is also used frequently by Ritchie Kotzen, or an...
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0:52
John Petrucci Speed Licks: Part II - Example 1
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
In light of the new Dream Theater album, I thought I would teach another lick in the style of John Petrucci.
This time, the idea is quite simple. The toughest challenge will be playing the lick accurate, and up to speed. If you are a shredder 'in tr...
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0:41
John Petrucci Speed Licks: Part II - Example 2
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
This example is a bit less challenging. If you are struggling with the first lick, I would recommend that you place your focus here.
Once again, this lick is very simple, and relies mostly on chops. If you are new 4 note per string patterns, this sh...
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3:15
Hybrid-Sweep Technique - Concept
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Greetings!
In this lesson, we will combine both hybrid and sweep picking to play an arpeggio sequence that for the most part follows the degrees of a C Major scale!
This combination of hybrid and sweep picking can easily be applied to a number of sha...
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1:20
Hybrid-Sweep Technique - C Major Sequence
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
If you haven't read up on scale and chord theory, check out Tom's Visualizing the Fretboard tutorial, and Jody's lesson on Nashville Numbers. This sequence will work over the basic corresponding chords of C Major, but would be better fit if you add t...
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3:02
Note Targeting in Pentatonics - Introduction
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Exercises
Style: Fusion
Welcome guitar slingers!
The goal of the "Note Targeting in Pentatonics" tutorial is for you to be able to improvise freely across any key changes, anywhere on the neck, and learn how to conceptually visualize scales and keys, and using scale superi...
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4:30
Note Targeting in Pentatonics - Part 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Exercises
Style: Fusion
Now, just as we did in the Pentatonic Finder tutorial, we need to set a "range" of the fret board to work with.
As in that tutorial I've chosen to have you start with the first position (Box 1) of the blues scale, as "home base". This time however, ...
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4:27
Note Targeting in Pentatonics - Part 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Exercises
Style: Fusion
The second interval we will target is the b3 in each respective key. The b3 of Dm is of course the F, and the b3 of Fm is Ab. Once again, you can see how much the keys have in common. The b3 of Dm is the root of F, and the b3 of Fm is the b5 of Dm.&n...
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7:21
Note Targeting in Pentatonics - Part 3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Exercises
Style: Fusion
So, by now you should have the concept in firm grasp and be ready to venture out on your own, picking and choosing intervals to practise in the change. Below I have provided you with a more advanced "hybrid" Blues scale, combining the Blues scale wit...
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6:04
Note Targeting in Pentatonics - Backing Track
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Exercises
Style: Fusion
Here's the backing track guys!
I've made it plenty long for you, and it's the same backing I used to play over in the tutorial.
It alters between Dm(9) and Fm(9). So go crazy and post something on the Tube if you feel like it. And be sure to share ...
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1:24
Intervallic Fusion lick in B Dorian
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Hey folks! Here's a fun little lick I came up with. Hope you enjoy!
This lead lick falls into the key of B minor / B Dorian, with most of the notes coming from the minor pentatonic box.
I tried to play the lick with a 'swing' feel, but feel free to...
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0:57
Hybrid Lick Extensions - Intro and Playthrough
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Welcome to this short ”lick-based” tutorial. This time we’re going to have a look at a Hybrid Picking lick or ”line”. This line was something I came up with in improvisation over an A Dorian groove. Thus, the lick is pri...
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2:42
Hybrid Lick Extensions - Isolation Exercises
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
In this part we’ll first look at the lick slowed down, and then some isolation exercises derived from the lick. I want to note here that I have not notated the isolation exercises to conform to any kind of bar-lengths, that is say 16 notes over...
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0:35
Sweep Picking as a Tool - Example 1
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
The first lick is very simple. A setup lick, to connect to a run in minor pentatonic, harmonic minor, etc.
If you look at the pick strokes, you'll notice that I use all down strokes. The first four notes are swept, with the last note being a regular...
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0:36
Sweep Picking as a Tool - Example 3
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
This example uses legato, with sweep picking at the end. The lick uses a E7 arpeggio, and is heavily inspired by Greg Howe.
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0:18
Sweep Picking as a Tool - Example 4
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Now we're into the realm of licks that require a bit more technical skill. Try your best to keep this clean, and accurate!
Keep in mind that you can use the same pattern, with a number of different arpeggios and shapes. For this example, I've chosen...
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0:26
Sweep Picking as a Tool - Example 5
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
This example is inspired by a commonly played Zakk Wylde lick. For years, I had been playing this lick using alternate picking, and one day discovered that it is much easier for me to play, if swept! As in some of the other examples, legato is used.
...
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0:29
Sweep Picking as a Tool - Example 6
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
This example is more of a textural lick, at least, when played in repetition.
I like to use hybrid picking for the G# note on the 9th fret of the B string, but feel free to use sweeping / legato, or whatever feels best.
Works well over C# dominant ...
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0:27
Tim Miller Substitution Idea - Concept
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Hello IG,
In this tutorial we’ll be dealing with a substitution idea that should breathe new life into your playing over a certain chord vamp. I ran across this device upon transcribing Tim Miller’s solo on Janek Gwizdala’s song &l...
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0:20
Tim Miller Substitution Idea - Example 1
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okay, time to get playing! This first example is really dry and not overly creative, but it is just the right thing to get the sound of this substitution into your ears. It also shows you a simple but effective way to resolve the F# triad back to the...
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0:45
Tim Miller Substitution Idea - Example 2
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Example 2 is a little bit more interestingly sequenced. Look at how the lick steps out of Cm into F#maj in bar 2, and is back “inside” on beat 1 of bar 3.
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0:22
Tim Miller Substitution Idea - Example 3
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here’s a little twist I added myself. My initial idea was to add more notes to the F# triad without compromising too much of its distinct sound (like a scale would do), so I expanded the triad with the notes D#/Eb and G#/Ab giving us a F#maj or...
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0:12
Tim Miller Substitution Idea - Example 4
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
And to round things off, here’s a nice little example combining the concepts discussed in this tutorial and my last tutorial, Eric Johnson Style Triads.
As always, be sure to ask anything that’s on your mind regarding this material. See ...
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2:09
Tim Miller Substitution Idea - Cm7 Vamp
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Now it's time to practice these licks to the backing track. Have fun!
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0:34
Eric Johnson Triads - Lick 1
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Okay, now it’s time to increase our soloing vocabulary with a few licks. Any of these 3 licks can be used against a static Dmin7 chord.
The first one is a melodic sequence that uses a few substitutions against the old Dmin7 chord.
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6:11
Thirdless Voicings - Part 3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Fusion
OK, so the concept of thirdless voicings can of course be expanded to cover pretty much any musical style. If you're into fusion, fine. If you're into singing/songwriting, equally fine! This is something that, once you have it in your ears, can be us...
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1:12
John Petrucci Speed Lick - Demonstration
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Hello and welcome! In this tutorial we'll be going over a lick inspired by John Petrucci, especially from his more "bluesy" days.
Check out the lick then move on to the next video for an explanation, an extra exercise, and some additional ...
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4:29
John Petrucci Speed Lick - Explanation
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
So as you can hear, this is definitely "Petrucci style" especially with how we're alternate picking a chromatic sequence.
Some key points and tips:
- Works over the key of A minor.
- Mainly uses alternate picking.
- Practicing with a metronome is...
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2:25
Hybrid Picking Sequences for Fusion - Introduction
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Welcome to this tutorial on Hybrid Picking!
Hybrid picking is a very useful technique, applicable in many musical styles, ranging from Country to Fusion. In the world of country this technique is called "Chicken Picking", probably stemming form the ...
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5:11
Hybrid Picking Sequences - Preliminary Exercises
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
OK, so before we go into the actual sequences we will look at some preliminary exercises that nails the essence of what we will be doing. First off we will do 3-string, 4-note arpeggios going up the scale.
As you can see in the video (and the tabbed...
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5:28
Hybrid Picking Sequences - Example 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
I this first example, we use the 4-note arpeggio derived from the preliminary exercises. As discussed there, we can then take this up any scale. In this particular example I have used the A Dorian mode, but do try this over any scale or mode. Also, a...
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2:10
Hybrid Picking Sequences - Example 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
In example 2, we use the same A Dorian mode, but this time we will also encounter a position shift, moving up the fretboard ascending, and then descending further up the neck. In this example you should note that when descending I'm using a different...
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2:05
Hybrid Picking Sequences - Example 3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
In example 3 it's time for some diminished runs, which we of course all love don't we now!
The Am13 provides an excellent backdrop for the Half-Whole step diminished scale, since it shares may common tones with the A Dorian mode, and is also the dim...
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3:23
Hybrid Picking Sequences - Example 4
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Example 4 is a kicker! In this one we move into the promised land of pentatonics so get ready to stretch those fingers!
Here we're using the 3-note per string approach to pentatonics, connecting two adjacent positions. We also layer pentatonics on e...
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2:30
Hybrid Picking Sequences - Example 5
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
So, we've run through 4 examples of arpeggios now, so it's high time we get down to some linear stuff right?
In example 5 we play the A Dorian scale ascending and descending in a very linear fashion, just to get used to picking every starting note o...
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2:58
Hybrid Picking Sequences - Example 6
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
In the final example we have a sequence that combines with arpeggiated and linear ideas. Here, we will also be using hybrid picking both ascending and descending. By now, you should have the two main approaches firmly under your fingers, so this fina...
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4:00
Hybrid Picking Sequences - Backing Track
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Alright guys, here is a "backing track" of sorts. It's a continuous 4 minute chord, the Am13 used in the examples. So feel free to try out any of the examples over this, or any other things you might have lying around i A Dorian, Diminished, Altered ...
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2:15
Intervallic Idea
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Hello!
Here's a tasty lick that I came up with after being inspired by the amazing Carl Verheyen!
As mentioned in the video, this lick uses alternate picking, legato, as well as a bit of sweep picking. It's in the key of A minor, and falls into the...
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2:24
Right Hand Dynamics - Demonstration (Concepts)
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
In this improv, I try to incorporate some of the different concepts I discussed in the previous videos, and try to make some obvious change in dynamics.
Enjoy!
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0:56
Right Hand Dynamics - Example 1
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
In the first example, we have a lick that uses pull-offs, and falls into the E minor blues pentatonic box.
This personally reminds me of a Joe Satriani lick that I have heard on one or more of his albums. The point of giving teaching this lick, is s...
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0:28
Right Hand Dynamics - Example 2
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Here's a funky example of how to get a different sound on your guitar! I like to call this 'alternate picking with your fingers,' because you repeatedly attack the strings up and down with your thumb and finger. It provides a very unique timbre, and ...
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0:48
Right Hand Dynamics - Example 3
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
In our final example, we have a fun & fancy hybrid picking lick! This run features a major 7 arpeggio, as well as some chromatic notes, and is of course in the key of E minor.
Some players may prefer to use sweep picking, as well as alternate pi...
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1:50
Right Hand Dynamics - Demonstration (Examples)
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
I decided to do another demonstration - this time, playing each of the three examples from this tutorial. I added in some improv, in between some of the licks, and at the end of the video.
This should be quite helpful, especially where the examples ...
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1:21
Right Hand Dynamics - Backing (Version 1)
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
A nice and groovy backing track in E minor at 97bpm. This version has varied drum grooves.
Have fun, and make sure you try the examples!
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2:40
Right Hand Dynamics - Backing (Version 2)
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
A nice and groovy backing in E minor at 97bpm. This version is double the length of the last one and keeps a steady high-hat groove.
Have fun, and make sure you try the examples!
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2:00
Shred/Fusion Legato Idea
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Greetings!
Here, we have a lick in the key of E minor, that's very typical for me to use when playing in the genre of shred/fusion. This lick focuses mainly on your left hand, but also uses a touch of sweep picking!
Though this example is written i...
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2:11
The 'Howe' Vibrato - Intro and Concept
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Hi folks!
Today's lesson is on a very popular technique, used in modern fusion! I am of course referring to the famous 'slide vibrato' used by the great Greg Howe, that has become extremely popular over the last 10 years or more.
A few quick things...
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0:46
The 'Howe' Vibrato - Example 1
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
This first example follows the E minor blues pentatonic box, and is a typical lick that you may hear Greg play. This is intended to have 'swing', but can be played with a 4's feel as well! There is a lot of room for variation, depending on the mood, ...
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0:44
The 'Howe' Vibrato - Example 2
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Here is an 'out there' type of lick that is commonly heard from Howe. The idea is based around a diminished arpeggio, and resolves to a note that is a bit more common over an E minor chord.
If you're not used to string skipping, this may be challeng...
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0:42
The 'Howe' Vibrato - Example 3
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
This example gives us two opportunities to use the slide vibrato. If you pay close attention in the video, I contradict one of my opening statements, in that I am mainly sliding between the 9th and 10th frets, in the first note marked with vibrato. T...
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0:43
The 'Howe' Vibrato - Example 4
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Here is a nice and short lick that uses a minor arpeggio, ending with a chromatic run that falls slightly out of key. I am very much fond of 'straight 16th' runs, and this particular lick works very well with the slide vibrato! Have some fun switchin...
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1:04
The 'Howe' Vibrato - Outro
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
I hope this has been helpful to you all, whether you already had experience with this technique, or had never heard of it before! If you have any questions, or think that I may have missed an important point, please send me a message!
Thanks for tak...
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1:33
Perception vs. Harmonic Context in Fusion - Intro
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Welcome guys, to a perhaps somewhat "out there" tutorial =)
What we will set out to do here is to open our ears and improvising up to the harmonic context of any chord of choice we might be laying over, be it generic pop or hard core fusion.
we wan...
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7:34
Perception vs. Harmonic Context in Fusion - Part 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Ok then. We begin our journey through these 4 chords with a simple Asus4! I've chosen this voicing because it sounds very "in-between", and can be easily tweaked to serve as a platform for both major and minor playing. It's best that you listen to th...
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5:22
Perception vs. Harmonic Context in Fusion - Part 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
The same thing applies here, listen to the video examples, and follow suit yourself over the backing. As I mention in the video though, certain chords, such as this one, might have a strong inclination towards a certain scale context, and thus force ...
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7:41
Perception vs. Harmonic Context in Fusion - Part 3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Nothing differs here, you get the idea by now. This articular chord shares notes with both the A Whole-Half diminished, but also with A Lydian (the #4 and 7 in common apart from the root).
So try the A Lydian out as well!!
Oh, and since I do say "H...
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6:36
Perception vs. Harmonic Context in Fusion - Part 4 & Outro
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
This is the last chord of the sequence, and when practicing over the Part 4. Backing, start out by playing the tried and true A Whole-Half diminished. Treat A as the root, or "home-base", but also try to play the same scale, but treating Ab as root. ...
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3:12
Perception vs. Harmonic Context - Backing #1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the backing track for the first chord, the Asus4. Its just a vamp with the same chord for what will probably feel like an infinity :) But get grooving, and I'm sure you'll come up with some great stuff to play over it!
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3:12
Perception vs. Harmonic Context - Backing #2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here is the backing track for chord number 2. As we discussed in the video part, try both whole-half, and half-whole diminished scales over this (as well as perhaps whole-tone or what not).
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3:12
Perception vs. Harmonic Context - Backing #3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Over this third backing track, you might want to try out Lydian as well, since both the #4 and the 7 is present in this voicing.
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3:12
Perception vs. Harmonic Context - Backing #4
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Over the fourth chord, the A half-whole diminished will fit like a glove! However, you might also want to try playing it as if Ab was the root, to "alter" your perception of "home base".
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3:12
Perception vs. Harmonic Context - Full Backing
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Ok! Time for the full backing track! I have chosen to keep the drums very, very basic. This because I want you to focus mainly on note choice and harmony here, and not on playing fast, or going with rhythmical variations against some fusion-type drum...
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2:46
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Minor Major 7 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Hi there and welcome to part 2 of 'Playing over Changes'. This time we'll be dealing with melodic minor chords and their associated scale choices and also with motivic development over changes. For the purpose of this tutorial a small piece of inform...
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1:44
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Maj7#5 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Our next chord is very common in fusion and jazz music and has a very attractive but dark sound. It's called a Major7 #5 chord and is the III chord from the melodic minor scale.
The scale required to play over this chord is a Lydian Augmented scale ...
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2:52
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Lydian Dominant Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Our next chord type is dominant 7th chord with a sharpened 11th interval. This gives us a lydian dominant chord also known as the chord symbol 7#11. From the root note G this would give us G7#11 for example.
The scale associated with this chord is t...
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1:54
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Locrian Natural 9 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Our penultimate chord type is based on a min7b5 chord, also known as a locrian chord. The difference here is that the melodic minor version of this chord contains a natural 9 and is the 6th chord of melodic minor.
Since the chord would normally take...
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2:07
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Altered Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okay, our final chord type is named an altered dominant chords. If you've seen my other melodic minor tutorial you'll know that an altered dominant is a dominant chord that contains any of the following intervals in any combination, b5, #5, b9, #9.&n...
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2:51
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Motifs Introduction
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
One of the hardest things to do when playing over changes is phrase well through the chords. In order to do this successfully we need a few things in our playing bag of tricks. The first is an excellent fretboard knowledge. Without this you stand no ...
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2:47
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Using Motifs
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okay, here's the video example with the accompanying transcription below. I'm playing over four chords. The sequence goes as follows.
A7sus4, Bb7#11, Dmaj7, C7#11 so two of these are melodic minor chords requiring lydian dominant scales.
Analyse th...
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1:37
Playing Over Changes Pt 2 - Motifs Closing Comments
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Now, when using motifs to play through chord changes you must remember that this is only an exercise and were you to play a complete solo this way, with very little rhythmic variation, you'd ultimately end up sounding like an exercise. Therefore, use...
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1:44
Playing Over Changes Pt 2 - Anticipating the changes
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the example of anticipating the changes.
The changes here are:-
Amaj7, Bb7alt, Dmaj7, C7sus4
Try playing over each chord a beat earlier than it actually comes in or even two beats. Very seasoned players can come in on a chord change up to a...
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3:20
Backing Track - Melodic Minor 1
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the first backing track using melodic minor chords.
The changes are:-
||: Am6 / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | F#m6 / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / :||
Use A melodic minor for Am6
Use F# melodic minor for F#m6
Try continuous scal...
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2:58
Backing Track - Melodic Minor 2
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's backing track number 2.
A mixture of major and melodic minor harmony.
The changes are:-
||: A7sus4 / / / | / / / / | Bb7#11 / / / | / / / / | Dmaj7 / / / | / / / / | C7#11 / / / | / / / / :||
Use A mixolydian for the A7sus4
Use Bb lydian ...
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2:34
Backing Track - Melodic Minor 3
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's backing track number 3.
The changes are as follows:-
||: Am7 / / / | / / / / | Bbmaj7#5 / / / | / / / / | D7sus4 / / / | / / / / | C7#11 / / / | / / / / :||
Use A Dorian over the Am7 chord
Use Bb Lydian Augmented over the Bbmaj7#5 chord
U...
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2:18
Backing Track - Melodic Minor 4
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here backing track number 4,
The changes are as follows:-
||: Amaj7 / / / | / / / / | Bb7alt / / / | / / / / | Dmaj7 / / / | / / / / | C7sus4 / / / | / / / / :||
Use A major/lydian over the Amaj7 chord
Use Bb superlocrian/altered over the Bb7alt ...
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3:17
Backing Track - Melodic Minor 5
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the final backing track.
The changes are as follows:-
||: AmMaj9 / / / | / / / / | Bbm7b5nat9 / / / | / / / / | Dmaj7#5 / / / | / / / / | Cmaj9 / / / | / / / / :||
Use A melodic minor over the AmMaj9 chord
Use Bb Locrian natural 9 over the...
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2:15
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) - Introduction
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Hi there guys! Welcome to this tutorial on 'Playing Over Changes'. This is the idea of playing or improvising over a series of chords that change key every bar or other bar. We aren't going to be dealing with diatonic or functional harmony progressio...
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1:53
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) - Modal Changes
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
So throughout this tutorial I already mentioned that we'll be dealing with Modal Progressions which are non-functional. In other words, they don't outline one key centre as with functional progressions. Each chord is from a different key and requires...
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4:37
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) Scale Choices - Major Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
When soloing over Major chords and their derivatives we have two scales to choose from. These are Ionian (our standard major scale) and the Lydian scale.
The Lydian Scale is what we'll call our 'Go To' scale for major chords when improvising in a mo...
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3:55
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) Scale Choices - Minor Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
When soloing over minor chords and their derivatives we end up with three scale choices. These are our three minor modes - Dorian, Phrygian and Aeolian. As with major chords we have a 'Go To' scale choice that works best over the majority of modal pr...
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1:52
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) Scale Choices - Dom 7th Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Dominant 7th chords and their derivitives use the mixolydian mode exclusively. We are only going to be dealing with un-altered dominant 7th chords in this tutorial. Any dominant 7th chords with altered extensions (b5, #5, b9, #9, #11) will be dealt w...
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1:37
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) Scale Choices - m7b5 Chord
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
It's fairly unusual to come across a minor7b5 chord in a modal context but when we do the scale that fits over it is the Locrian mode. It's more commonly found in a functional harmony context in a minor II-V progression which we'll cover when we look...
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3:10
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) - Continuous Scale Exercise
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
So, now you have the theoretical knowledge down of which scales to play when you see the relevant chord symbols in a modal context. Your next step is to develop your fretboard knowledge so that you can play these scales seamlessly, slipping into the ...
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3:37
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) - Expanding the Exercise
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
We're nearly there!
This is the easiest exercise to expand upon. Try some of the following:-
More chords of the same type (try the backing tracks with 4 chords)
More chords of different types (try the backing track with different chord types)
Try...
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3:09
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) - Final Comments
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
One final thing. Make sure that you try singing all these scale lines as you play them. It's so important to make the link between what your fingers are doing and what you hear. When playing over changes your most important tools are your ears as the...
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2:05
Backing Track 1 - Two minor7 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Well here's the first backing track.
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the two chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: Gm7 / / / | Bbm7 / / / :||
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2:05
Backing Track 2 - Two 7sus4 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the two chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: G7sus4 / / / | Bb7sus4 / / / :||
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2:05
Backing Track 3 - Two Major7 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the two chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: Gmaj7 / / / | Bbmaj7 / / / :||
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2:05
Backing Track 4 - Four Minor7 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the four chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: Gm7 / / / | Bm7 / / / | Dm7 / / / | F#m7 / / / :||
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2:05
Backing Track 5 - Four 7sus4 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the four chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: G7sus4 / / / | B7sus4 / / / | D7sus4 / / / | F#7sus4 / / / :||
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2:05
Backing Track 6 - Four Major 7 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the four chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: Gmaj7 / / / | Bmaj7 / / / | Dmaj7 / / / | F#maj7 / / / :||
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2:05
Backing Track 7 - Changing Chord Type
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
In this final backing track we'll change chord types too.
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the four chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: Gm7 / / / | B7sus4 / / / | Dmaj7 / / / | ...
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3:17
Quartal Harmony - Introduction
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Fusion
Hey there Guys! Welcome to this month's tutorial.
This time we'll be looking at a form of harmony known as Quartal Harmony.
Before we get into that though lets have a look at what normal harmony is in a Western context. In the western world we bui...
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1:56
Quartal Harmony - How does it sound?
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Fusion
In this video I'll try to show you the difference in sound between tertiary harmony (the chords you already know) and quartal harmony.
Remember that we're not dealing with functional harmony anymore so we can play any of the quartal chords from the ...
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4:16
Quartal Harmony - Shapes on the middle 4 strings
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Fusion
Okay, so here we'll start to learn the construction of these quartal shapes. In the video I outline each shape for you using note names on the fretboard. If you don't know your note names don't fear! The shapes are all represented in the TAB below so...
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2:44
Quartal Harmony - Shapes on the top 4 strings
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Fusion
Here's the shapes for C dorian on the top 4 strings.
Work through them in the same way without worrying about the Roman numerals over each shape. Remember all of these shapes are basically a C dorian scale harmonised in 4th's. These shapes start fro...
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2:33
Quartal Harmony - Applying the Shapes
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Fusion
Right - now the important bit! You've learnt the shapes but how do you use them?
Well, you'll have noticed that each quartal voicing or shape has a Roman Numeral above it. These refer to one of the seven modes built from a major scale.
The modes ru...
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1:28
Quartal Harmony - Example Grooves
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Fusion
Here's two grooves for you, both played over a static C bass pedal. The first groove starts with the IV chord on the note C. I play all the other quartal voicings in relation to this one using the sequence outlined in the tutorial giving me a C lydia...
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3:30
Quartal Harmony - Backing Track
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Fusion
Here's the backing track for the tutorial. It's a C pedal which you can use to play any set of quartal chords to outline a particular mode as I did in my examples video.
Try making C dorian by starting on the II chord at the note C,
C Phrygian by s...
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1:40
Time Feel - Exercise 3: Explanation
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
The remaining three exercises follow the same premise we used for exercise two (with an easier chord progression) except that we'll gradually be leaving more and more space in between the physical metronome clicks leaving your internal metronome with...
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0:33
Time Feel - Exercise 3: Demonstration
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Here is the video demonstration of Exercise 3 with the click set to 41 bpm giving a perceived tempo of 164 bpm.
Refer to the TAB below for the chord progression and again try to match my feel.
Keep that foot going on beats 2 and 4!
I improvise som...
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1:45
Time Feel - Exercise 4: Explanation
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
This exercise mirrors number 3 except that out click is now perceived on beat 4 of the bar instead of beat 2.
Again the click is set to 41 bpm to display this beat 4 giving us a perceived tempo of 164 bpm.
Your internal metronome now has to fill in...
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0:32
Time Feel - Exercise 4: Demonstration
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Here's the video demonstration for Exercise 4 with the metronome set to 41 bpm to represent beat 4 of the bar.
Remember to tap your foot on beats 2 and 4!
Again, I improvise somewhat with the rhythm of the chord sequence but this is not written out...
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1:54
Time Feel - Exercise 5: Explanation
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
In this final exercise we're really making life very hard for your internal metronome. This one I struggled with and found an area where I need to do some significant practice!
Now we're going to set our click to represent beat 2 of the first bar an...
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0:35
Time Feel - Exercise 5: Demonstration
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Here's the video demonstration of Exercise 5. Again, the perceived tempo is 164 bpm.
Refer to the TAB for the chord progression which is the same as the previous exercises.
Again, I improvise somewhat with the rhythm of the chord sequence but this ...
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2:35
Very Long Metronome Click (beat 2 of bar one)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Here's a very long metronome beat for us to use.
This click is on beat 2 of bar one and sequences as follows:
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 | 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 | 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 | 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 |
Bear in mind that you could use this click to represent any beat of any b...
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5:50
Minor Voicings - Part 2 & Changing Scale Roots
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Fusion
So, here I’ve derived my voicings from the same E minor scale, but started out with an Esus4 voicing. I also touch upon another topic here, the topic of key change by altering root. Let’s say you play these voicings over that E-bass note,...
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7:25
Outlining Scales & Creating Outside Harmony
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Fusion
In this last part, I discuss outlining scales. What I mean by this is that just as a voicing or chord has a certain overall quality and texture, an entire scale has a quality of its own. That is, if you run scales up and down, that is one thing, you ...
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1:24
Playing Out - Introduction
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Hi Guys and Gals!
Welcome to this months tutorial which is all based on 'outside' playing. Now I'm not suggesting that you all find a nice field somewhere and play in the fresh air. Rather the way in which fusion and jazz guitarists (and these days ...
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2:22
Playing Out - Using the 4th Bar
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
This first method is based on an idea I took from Greg Howe's playing and is a very 'open' and simple concept.
It's based on the idea that music is divided into simple phrases which are then combined into longer sentences. What Greg tends to do is t...
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2:30
Playing Out - Using the 4th bar (Example)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
I've transcribed the first section of each improvisation leaving you some left to work out and transcribe yourself if you want to. Each transcription should give you an idea of the kind of phrases I play and their placement with in the bar.
Have a g...
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1:29
Playing Out - Side Stepping
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okay, how did you get on with that then? Hopefully it was okay...
Our second method is really simple to understand and I'm going to call is 'side stepping'. This is a method which is tailor-made for guitarists as it's a very visual method of playing...
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1:56
Playing Out - Side Stepping (Example)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the transcription for the first section of my improvised solo. I use Am Pentatonic and A Dorian throughout.
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1:33
Playing Out - Using Shapes
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Using shapes refers to the idea that we can use material other than scales to play out. In order for an outside phrase to work, the listener simply needs something to latch on to. In this way we can use 'shapes' on the guitar which we can then sequen...
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1:32
Playing Out - Using Shapes (Example)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
With this method I've written out the shapes I've used and their sequence method without the rest of the solo so that you can stick them into your own improvisations. Hopefully they'll spark your imagination so you can come up with your own shapes.
...
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2:21
Playing Out - Wholetone/Diminished
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Now, this method should really have a tutorial all of it's own but we'll leave that for the future.
For our outside playing in this example we'll be using two symmetrical scales - the wholetone and diminished scale. The whole tone scale is construct...
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1:34
Playing Out - Wholetone/Diminished (Example)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
In this example video I use A Dorian for my inside playing and A Wholetone and A diminshed for my outside playing. I've included the scales for your convenience too. I also sneaked in an A# diminished line at the end.
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2:21
Playing Out - Anything Goes
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
The final method we'll use for playing out relies on the following idea,
"Anything will work if you play it fast enough!"
This may sound like a bit of a cop out but in fact it's a very effective method for creating tension and release. There are a ...
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2:09
Playing Out - Anything Goes (Example)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Haha! This isn't my best playing ever but presents some interesting ideas about just how out you can go when you're shredding. I think this is an idea you should use sparingly if possible - it gets a bit much as in this video! However, as a tension a...
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3:02
Playing Outside - Aminor7 Backing Track
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the backing track outlining an Am7 chord throughout. The 4th bar has a drum fill in and this is the one you want to use primarily for your outside playing!
Good luck and remember to concentrate on your phrasing and just go for it!
See you ne...
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4:11
Funky Fusion Song - Chasing a Beat - Performance
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Hi guys!
It's nearly Easter and winter is pretty much gone, so it's time for some funky sounds to prepare for the warmer weather!
This tutorial is a song of mine from my upcoming album due to be released this year. It's a fusion number with some pr...
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0:53
Funky Fusion Song - Intro Section
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Here's the intro section of the tune which is repeated again when the band enters and at the end after the drum solo.
This line is created from a hybrid pentatonic scale - B minor Pentatonic with an added 6 (the note G#). This is a very common devic...
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2:09
Funky Fusion Song - Main Melody
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Here's the main melody played slowly then at tempo. Check out the fingerings and phrasing. A lot of these notes are played using slides and vibrato which is hard to notate so be sure to check these out in the video.
The melody is played over the sam...
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Funky Fusion Song - Solo Section
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okay - onto the tricky bit! My solo was totally improvised over the backing track and I'd like you guys to do the same! If there are enough requests I will transcribe the solo, however, two things spring to mind here. You'll learn a lot more by eithe...
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1:02
Funky Fusion Song - Riff Section
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Now onto the Riff Section which is played underneath the Drum solo. This is very much influenced by later Greg Howe and Wayne Krantz. Lots of syncopation (off the beat playing) and built from a few different harmonic areas.
The main idea is built fr...
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4:21
Funky Fusion Song - Backing Track
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the full backing track. Good luck improvising over the changes!
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5:41
Funky Fusion Song - Backing Track Slow
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the backing track slowed down. Good luck improvising over the changes!
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3:20
Funky Fusion Song - Backing Track Solo Section Loop
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's a backing track containing an extended solo section to practice improvising over.
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2:56
Melodic Minor Scales - Backing Track 1
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Just two chords!
Ebmajor followed by Abm6.
Use Eb major or Eb lydian for the Eb chord and Ab melodic minor for the Ab chord.
Good luck!
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5:21
Melodic Minor Scales - Backing Track 2
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Good Luck!
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4:29
Melodic Minor Scales - Backing Track 3
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Good Luck!
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1:48
Visualizing Pentatonics - Introduction
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Hi there guys! Welcome to this tutorial on visualizing pentatonic scales for guitar.
This tutorial aims to help you break out of the rut that the typical box pattern approach to learning pentatonics can produce.
If I were to put money on it, I'd be...
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2:57
Visualizing Pentatonics - Sus Chord Construction
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Fusion
The first thing we have to be able to do in order to use the visualization technique described in this tutorial is understand the concept of a sus4 chord.
A sus4 chord is a chord containing a Root, 4th and 5th (R, 4, 5)
An example of this would be ...
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2:23
Visualizing Pentatonics - Sus Chord Application
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
So, how do these sus4 chords relate to our minor pentatonic scale?
Well, every minor pentatonic scale contains a couple of sus4 chords which we're going to focus on. Let's take Am pentatonic as our example. This scale contains the notes A, C, D, E a...
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2:40
Visualizing Pentatonics - Comping - Introduction
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
One of the best uses I've found for this technique is for comping. In other words, for playing chord based accompaniment or solos over chord changes or a static groove.
Normally you'd rarely think of using a pentatonic scale to comp, but in using th...
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1:09
Visualizing Pentatonics - Am Groove Comping
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Let's take this comping idea and apply it to a static groove. I know one problem many people have when playing over a static groove is knowing how to create interesting chordal ideas which don't just rely on your stock chord shapes.
In the case of t...
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0:40
Visualizing Pentatonics - Comping - Giant Leaps
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Here's our final comping example using pentatonic scales as our harmonic source.
The chord sequence below is from a well known tune by John Coltrane. I'll name this one Giant Leaps! That should give you a clue!
Normally when comping on this tune yo...
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1:17
Visualizing Pentatonics - Comping - Roundup
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
When you apply these ideas to playing chords, you simply need to follow a few simple rules and everything should fall into place.
Most fusion and jazz tunes and even some modern funk songs change key often. The first thing you must do is identify al...
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0:52
Visualizing Pentatonics - Line Playing
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
One of the great things about visualizing the pentatonics is that it allows us to create lines in addition to new comping ideas. Over the next few videos, I'll introduce you to four of the kind of lines I play on a regular basis.
All of the phrases ...
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0:28
Visualizing Pentatonics - Line No. 1
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Now, on to line playing! All of these examples are TABBED for 4ths tuning but the standard tuned versions are at the end of the tutorial. I recommend you print these out for reference as some of the fingerings are different by necessity.
The great t...
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0:28
Visualizing Pentatonics - Line No. 2
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Line No. 2 is a descending 16th note triplet phrase utilizing stretched sus4 arpeggios built from our Am pentatonic again.
I've incorporated a sneaky Dsus4 arpeggio at the beginning of the line (this works too!) but the rest is built primarily from ...
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0:25
Visualizing Pentatonics - Line No. 3
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Here is line no. 3, built exclusively from the Am Pentatonic scale.
Again, I've used sus4 shapes and their inversions to create the line beginning with a Gsus4 in the 1st inversion, followed by an Asus4 in the root position.
We then have the Gsus4 ...
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0:29
Visualizing Pentatonics - Line No. 4
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Here is our final line built from the Am pentatonic scale. This example makes the most blatant use of it as far as the sus4 shapes go.
If you analyze the line, you'll see that we're simply playing each inversion of Asus4 and Gsus4 rising up the neck...
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1:17
Visualizing Pentatonics - Am Groove Backing Track
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Here's the Am groove backing track. Remember that we're using the two sus4 chords built from the root and b7 of the scale, so in this case:
Asus4 and Gsus4 from the Am pentatonic scale.
Use these two chords in all their inversions for your comping ...
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2:26
Visualizing Pentatonics - Giant Leaps Backing Track
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Here's the backing track for Giant Leaps. By the way, the original version of this tune is at about 280bpm! Guys like Kurt Rosenwinkel use this sus chord technique effortlessly at that tempo. Back to practicing for me then!
Remember, use the followi...
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Visualizing Pentatonics - TABS (Standard Tuning)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Scales
Style: Fusion
Here are the TABS in standard tuning for this tutorial. FIrst you'll see the Csus4 inversions, then below you'll find all 4 line playing exercises.
Cheers,
Tom
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4:20
Modern Legato Application - Introduction/Approach
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Hi there guys and welcome to this tutorial on Legato and Hybrid picking that I've entitled Modern Legato Application/Approach.
In this lesson I'm introducing you to 5 examples of phrases or lines that I often play when improvising. We'll be playing ...
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1:55
Modern Legato Application - Preliminary Exercises
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Right! On to the application of this legato approach.
These preliminary exercises are designed to help you warm up and develop your legato and hybrid picking.
Preliminary exercise no.1 is based on a G major scale but is 'souped' up with some chroma...
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2:09
Modern Legato Application - Exercise 1
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Right, here we go!
First of all I need to point out that all of these examples are written out in my 4ths tuning - in other words I'm tuned from low to high - E A D G C F. I've done this to represent these phrases in the form they'd be if I was to i...
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1:44
Modern Legato Application - Exercise 2
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Now onto exercise 2! Hope you got on okay with exercise 1! This one is also over a G major tonality.
Things become a bit trickier now with some fairly big stretches. Make sure you're warmed up for this one! The first section of this line is a Gadd9 ...
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1:25
Modern Legato Application - Exercise 3
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Some of example 3 should be familiar to you as it borrows some ideas from example 1, namely the descending Gmaj7 arpeggio at the end of the line. Again, the line is over a G major tonality.
The difficulty with this phrase comes from the slides perfo...
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1:45
Modern Legato Application - Exercise 4
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Here's example number 4.
Now, in this example, again over a G major tonality, I use some pretty unorthodox stretches between my 1st and 2nd finger stretching between the 5th and 2nd frets on the A string. I do this because it allows me the best atta...
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2:41
Modern Legato Application - Exercise 5
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Right! Hopefully you've still got some energy left in those fingers to tackle this final example.
Unlike the previous lines which were constructed over a Gmajor tonality, this one moves between two separate tonalities - G Dorian and Bb Dorian. Havin...
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Modern Legato Application - Standard Tuning TABS
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Fusion
Here's the TABS for standard tuning. Note that some of the examples have altered fingerings to compensate for the B string in standard tuning.
Pay attention to any fingerings written underneath the TABS - be sure to compare these to the versions in ...
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2:24
Fusion Song - Sleeper (Full Song)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Hi guys!
Today we're going to learn part of a song from my forthcoming debut album. The song is called Sleeper and we're going to start about 3 minutes into the track after the main improvised solo section.
The tune moves between four time signatur...
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0:44
Fusion Song - Sleeper - Opening Melody Pt.1
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Here we go then! The first bar of this tune is in 7/8 meaning we have seven 8th notes per bar. After this we're straight into 5/8 in bar two and for the rest of this section. Take note of the common rhythmic theme at the beginning of each bar. This k...
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1:01
Fusion Song - Sleeper - Opening Melody Pt.2
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Okay! Now onto the second half of the opening melody. Here we start by doubling the melody in the bass and synth part. Watch out for the long position change slide at the start of bar 11.
Bars 14 and 15 involve a very quick economy picked descending...
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Fusion Song - Sleeper - Improvisation Section
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
So now onto the improvisation section. On the video I improvise a pretty simple solo over this part of the tune. The main things to think about are the time signature and the harmony/chord changes. For the first 8 bars we're improvising in 5/8 and al...
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Fusion Song - Sleeper - Stabs Section
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Originally, this section was composed with the idea of having a drummer soloing over the stabs. However, seeing as how I'm the worlds worst drummer and can't record a good one in my house we'll have to make do with what we've got for now! Sorry about...
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1:10
Fusion Song - Sleeper - Ending Melody
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
The ending melody is a 'tip of the hat' to Mr. Guthrie Govan and his track 'Waves'. It uses a great number of position shifts and slides combined with some awkward fingerings. The aim here is to produce a smooth, synth-like sound.
Try to make all yo...
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2:31
Fusion Song - Sleeper - Backing Track
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Okay, so here's the backing track for Sleeper.
There are 3 bars of 4/4 and then straight into the bar of 7/8. The line you play is doubled so it should be fairly obvious when to come in!
Best of luck!
Tom
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3:37
Fusion Song - Sleeper - Backing Track (slow)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Hi guys! I've had some requests for a slower version of this backing track to practice with so here it is! I hope this is useful. See you in the next tutorial! Tom
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Fusion Song - Sleeper - TAB for standard tuning
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Here's the TAB for standard tuning. Some of the fingerings are different to accommodate the top two strings. Feel free to ask if you need help with fingerings. Tom
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3:34
Phrasing - Hemiolas Explanation
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Hi there! Welcome to this tutorial on phrasing over the bar line!
This is the first of a set of tutorials where we'll be covering phrasing and more specifically phrasing over the bar line and developing independence from bar lines in general. This t...
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1:27
Phrasing - Hemiolas Demonstration
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
So here I'm going to demonstrate how a hemiola works. I'm starting with a very simple 3/4 rhythm consisting of a quarter note followed by two 8th notes finishing with a final quarter note. This gives us an unmistakeable 3/4 sound.
When played in 4/4...
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0:52
Phrasing - Hemiolas 3/4 over 4/4 (Rhythm 1)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Okay, so here we go!
Here's our first rhythm. It's a simple 3/4 rhythm which we're going to superimpose over a 4/4 groove in order to make a our phrases go over the bar line.
Getting the feel of 3/4 over 4/4 can be very tricky to achieve. Start by ...
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1:13
Phrasing - Hemiolas 3/4 over 4/4 (Rhythm 2)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Now here's another rhythm in 3/4. The same rules apply and you'll see me improvise in double time again. By doing this you can confirm whether the rhythm has become part of your improvisational repertoire.
My timing could've been better in parts of ...
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0:57
Phrasing - Hemiolas 5/4 over 4/4 (Rhythm 1)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Here's the first of our 5/4 rhythms. The same rules apply as for previous rhythms - just take your time and free yourself from those dastardly bar lines!! Again, I go double time when I improvise.
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1:11
Phrasing - Hemiolas 5/4 and 6/4 over 4/4
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
So now we'll practice 2 different superimposed rhythms in one exercise. In this example I start with a 5/4 rhythm followed by a double time 6/4 rhythm.
Both are written out underneath. Again, take your time to assimilate the rhythm first before tryi...
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0:53
Phrasing - Hemiolas Closing Comment
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Make sure you refer to the text and music/TAB for each example as it's often easier to 'see' these rhythms than to hear them at first. It might help to print or write the rhythms out and then identify each 3/4, 5/4 or 6/4 rhythm repeat within the 4/4...
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4:06
Phrasing - Hemiolas Backing Track
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Fusion
Here's the backing track to practice some of these ideas over. It's intentionally very simple with just drums and bass in order to leave you plenty of space to play some great rhythms over.
Having no chord changes at all leaves you some freedom to c...
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0:32
Time Signatures: 4/4 - Example 2 (Advanced)
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Here we have a more advanced example in a blues-rock-funk style. So we'll just call it a "Fusion" style. :)
There's a lot going on within each bar, so learn it very slowly. And really listen for that 4/4 pulse. Since there's a lot happening with the...
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0:31
Time Signatures: Backing Track - 4/4 Ex. 2
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Fusion
Here we have a more advanced example in a blues-rock-funk style. So we'll just call it a "Fusion" style. :)
There's a lot going on within each bar, so learn it very slowly. And really listen for that 4/4 pulse. Since there's a lot happening with the...
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1:51
Expand Your Improvisation - Introduction
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Greetings Guitarslingers!
Welcome to my tutorial on Line Alteration!
As is mentioned in the video, the goal of this tutorial is for you to understand the concept of line alteration, not just to learn the licks and improvisations transcribed herein....
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1:28
Expand Your Improvisation - The 5 Positions
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
In this first part, we will take a look at the original line we will work with in this tutorial. This idea is in G min pentatonic, with the added b5 (Db), turning this into a G Blues Scale.
We will play this idea with 5 different fingerings, found i...
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0:54
Expand Your Improvisation - Example 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okey, time for example #1!
In this example, using the fingering from the 1st position, it feels natural for me to expand and vary this idea with a more traditional blues/funk approach. The result is example #1. You can see that this idea only contai...
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1:34
Expand Your Improvisation - Example 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Example #2.
In this example I take a different approach, both harmonically and rhythmically. I begin by playing the line close to the original, but then start adding rests, and going into a G min9 arpeggio, broken up into a sequence. After this I go...
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0:49
Expand Your Improvisation - Example 3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Example #3.
This example has, like the previous, more of a jazz/fusion feel to it. However, this has a more linear approach, and is strictly played using triplets.
You should ultimately be able to play any line in any note value, and never settle d...
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1:00
Expand Your Improvisation - Example 4
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Example #4.
This example uses a more arpeggio based idea, and also utilizes the handy concept of moving an idea up a half-step. This is frequently used by all the best jazz and fusion players out there, and is an excellent way to approach outside pl...
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0:57
Expand Your Improvisation - Example 5
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Example #5.
Finally, we have example #5, which is a simple chromatic idea, moving you from the 5th position down to the 4th. Chromatics is another great way of tying together your outside playing, and making it more interesting. However, as stated e...
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1:57
Expand Your Improvisation - Outro Improvisation
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
In this final stop, I will attempt to tie it all together for you. I have improvised a solo over a funk/fusion backing in G min (with some heavy alteration going on harmonically).
Look through the video, and then start working on the transcription. ...
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0:58
Expand Your Improvisation - Backing Track
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okay Guitar Slingers!
Here is the backing track for you to jam along with. I suggest you start out by going through the transcribed solo, and pick and choose what you liek best there. Then record something of your own over it, and post in the IG for...
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