Question !

cornelius90

Hi guys,

One year ago, I got hooked on gypsy jazz as soon as I found this style.
I have been played for about 3years but my playing still sucks. I can play 'Bistro fada' by seeing tab. Without tab, I can play nothing.
I know just few basic chords like c, d, e, f, g, a, b, c and some minor / 7th chords but I don't know how it works.
I purchased some lessons from 'gypsyjazzschool' and I'm working on it but I'm not sure it helps.

In this case, what is the best online lesson ?
I can't get a teacher because there's no gypsyjazz teacher in my country.

Thanks !

steteak

I cannot tell you what is best for you. However, my path lead me here, and I found Michael Horowitz's "Gypsy Rhythm: Volume 1" ( http://shoppingcart.djangobooks.com/Item/michael-horowitz-gyspy-rhythm-volume-1 )very helpful. Also, for a one-on-one experience I recommend Denis Chang's "Rhythm Manouche ( http://shoppingcart.djangobooks.com/Item/dennis-chang-the-art-of-accompaniment )." Both are available here. I received a good foundation and many lessons that have propelled my playing. Enjoy

Buco

I recommend listening to Django and gypsy jazz 24/7, and no matter how good you are as long as you're looking at the tab you'll never be able to play anything without the tab (that doesn't mean you shouldn't use the tab).

Buco

Jazzaferri

There are several online teachers in this genre Dennis Chang, who has contributed so generously to our cause, Adrian Holovaty, Gonzalo Bergera, to name but a few....

A search through technique will likely yield more.

Buco and Steteak also give you excellent advice.

If you don't hear it in your head, you cant play this genre well.

Buco

What he said:

Jazzaferri wrote: »

If you don't hear it in your head, you cant play this genre well.

And you need to be patient.
Depending on how much you put in every day, and it needs to be every day, with 3 years playing the instrument you can't expect a whole lot to show at this point.
Play your instrument every day, even if it's only a few minutes you can spare, I think continuity is very important. Much better to put in 30 minutes every day for a week vs playing entire day on Saturday without having played during the week.

So many free resources on the web to teach you the theory behind chords, for example:
http://www.guitar-chord-theory.com/

I don't know about online schools, I didn't try any but I like the idea behind the school that Andreas Oberg is with:
http://artistworks.com/guitar-lessons-andreas-oberg
You get assignments, record yourself, submit and Andreas will review it and tell what you need to work on.
You get most of the benefits of a private lesson without a private lesson price.

If you really want to become a good player you need to find people to play with and eventually start performing in public.
Are there open mic type places where you are? That's a good way to start.

Good luck,

Buco

Lango-Django

Cornelius, you didn't mention how long you had been playing the guitar prior to taking up gypsy jazz...? That probably has a lot to do with it. It takes several years for the brain to assume full control over the fingers, and several more for the ear to fully develop and hear notes to match chords well.

My advice is to not give up!

bohemewarbler

If you are wanting to first learn the Gypsy Jazz chords (and the heads to the tunes), and you're a beginner-type, I always direct people to Robin Nolan's Gig Book. That's how I got started. It has 76 GJ tunes. For each tune, the book shows the tablature for the heads (good start for a lead player), and the finger positions for each chord of every tune (and most of the chords he uses in the book are easy 3-note and 4-note chords). Once you think you got a tune down somewhat, go to the play-alongs on the internet and start playing along. Not every chord in the GJ repertoire is in the Gig Book, but most of them are.

Later, as you increase your repertoire, you can take the fingerings you like from the RN Gig Book and apply them to the songs that are not in the Gig Book.

The Gig Book is expensive at $80, and Michael is currently out of stock. However, I'm sure it's available somewhere. If you cannot find it, PM me, and I'll see if I can locate a copy.

http://shoppingcart.djangobooks.com/Item/nolan_gig

jonpowl

I'll second the Gig Book by Robin Nolan. I also bought Gypsy Picking and Gypsy Rhythm by Michael Horowitz which have been helpful. I have worked through most of Gypsy Picking, a little of Gypsy Rhythm (some of the initial chord voicings kinda scared me as I enjoy 3 and 4 note chords). But Robin's Gig Book has been a big help when it comes to learning actual songs for jamming or playing along with GJ CD's or videos. I found it a couple of months ago on line in San Diego in the $65 range.

pickitjohn

@cornelius90

Welcome you've discovered a great community and folks with years of playing under their belts to help guide your path through what questions come up for you. The forum has been around for I believe nine years. Folks come and go and some are still around.

Many Rookie questions have been asked over & over. If you have time to snoop around the forum. Try the all Categories view up in the right hand side you'll discover a wealth of information. The search feature is wonderful. You may find enclosing search words in quotations to filter better.

@stuart resource is chock full of great resources.

All the resources mentioned will only work if you sit, spend time, and USE THEM.

I personally just wanna pick great tunes. So what are your favorite tunes. Probably need to discover them. As @Buco said…

I recommend listening to Django and gypsy jazz 24/7

Jay said…

If you don't hear it in your head, you cant play this genre well.

I spend whatever time I can listening to G J I've digitized my library and use an iPod.
If you hear a tune you like you can 5 star it. After a while you will have a playlist of FAVORITE TUNES. Sometimes driving I'll play one song 5 or 6 times somehow you start becoming familiar with the tunes. Then if you go to Michael's book or
the Gig Book by Robin Nolan you have a destination and discovered A MAP. Play along and "PICK ON"

If your missing a G J Library you could start with Classic Early Recordings in Chronogical Order it's a great remastered set that will get your feet wet. If I recall it's about $20.00.

Tons of free stuff in @stuart resource, youtube, and check out soundslice or search for it in the forum.

GO get em,

pick on

pickitjohn :whistle: