TRIPLETS & SEX TUPLETS
This month Andy G Jones will be alternate picking using triplets and sextuplets to weave swinging rock lines inspired by Paul Gilbert.
Our inspiration this month is Paul Gilbert’s amazing picking chops. Don’t be put off by this, as we’re looking at the approach rather than closely trying to emulate the great PG. Anyway it’s important to start by playing these examples slowly and perfectly. If you aim to play them too fast, too soon you’ll be programming your fingers to play in a messy and uncoordinated way. The first step is to get the picking hand used to groups of six (or three) before getting into more complicated patterns for the fretting hand. Therefore the first example features repeated groups of three notes with the beat subdivided into six notes per beat. Cementing the rhythmic feel of the six-note rhythmic groups with the picking hand will mean that the more involved fretting-hand patterns will feel more natural.
The examples start on one string then move on to include crossing to other strings, while maintaining strict alternate picking.
It’s important to be able to integrate the sextuplet rhythm into a pattern of other rhythms, such as 16th-note rhythms.
Rhythmic variety humanises a line, and relentless use of the same rhythm can become stale pretty quickly. Remember that a singer has to take as breath once in a while, and keeping this inspiration in mind helps with pacing a solo. So you’ll see that, by the fourth example, after all the straight 16th notes we’ve integrated the sextuplet 16ths idea into a line with a more legato approach - it’s the same kind of line but breaking out of the alternate picking approach for a more fluid type of phrasing. That one has a distinct neo-classical sound to it. It’s important to be able to play freely with alternate picking and legato techniques, adding economy picking and sweeping if they fit your vibe.
Our final lick is a position shifting constant movement workout. It will work over Am7 as a Dorian line or over Em7 as an E Aeolian line, and sounds cool both ways.
Remember this is just an
