Expand Your Improvisation With Line Alterations

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Instructor: Richard Lundmark Level: Intermediate Topic: Improvising Style: Fusion

Excerpt: 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. It is very important that you apply this concept as soon as possible on all of your own ideas and licks that...

Media Length: 1:51

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Instructor: Richard Lundmark Level: Intermediate Topic: Improvising Style: Fusion

Excerpt: 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 in positions 1, 3, 4 and 5. It is essential that you use this approach to conceptualize your own ideas as well....

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Instructor: Richard Lundmark Level: Intermediate Topic: Improvising Style: Fusion

Excerpt: 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 contains the notes of the G min Blues scale. You should also play closer attention to the fact that certain notes a...

Media Length: 0:54

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Instructor: Richard Lundmark Level: Advanced Topic: Improvising Style: Fusion

Excerpt: 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 down again, using a E diminished arpeggio, also broken up, and land once more in the comfort of the G min pen...

Media Length: 1:34

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Instructor: Richard Lundmark Level: Intermediate Topic: Improvising Style: Fusion

Excerpt: 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 down until you’re able to! Then and only then, will you be able to have true improvisational freedom in a...

Media Length: 0:49

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Instructor: Richard Lundmark Level: Intermediate Topic: Improvising Style: Fusion

Excerpt: 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 playing, since it enables you to use relatively simple ideas, but still flavor them against the underlying harmo...

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Instructor: Richard Lundmark Level: Intermediate Topic: Improvising Style: Fusion

Excerpt: 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 earlier, how you play these ideas rhythmically is extremely important. As long as you convincingly play them wi...

Media Length: 0:57

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Instructor: Richard Lundmark Level: Advanced Topic: Improvising Style: Fusion

Excerpt: 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. Since it is an improvisation, you won’t be getting any slowed down version of this one, but I’m su...

Media Length: 1:57

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Instructor: Richard Lundmark Level: Advanced Topic: Improvising Style: Fusion

Excerpt: 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 forums =) Suggested scales (apart from targeting chord notes) to use over this backing would be Gmin Pentatonic,...

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