Another new guy looking for help and advice.

Chiefbigeasy

I am new to gypsy jazz, but have been playing guitar for over 50 years. I have played everything from folk tunes in the 70's to New Orleans r&b, Chicago and Texas blues, and flamenco, sometimes semi-pro, but always with a day job. The one thing that has always been the brick wall for me has been jazz on guitar. I tried it in my youth, during the heady days of jazz fusion music, but I didn't have the discipline at the time. What I can say, though, is like most guitar players, I have a good ear. I can hear and understand the most complex improvisational music.

I've been interested in Gypsy Jazz for as long as I've heard it. I am lucky enough to say that I've seen Stephan Grappelli in person (yeah, I'm almost 60). I finally picked up the guitar again after a hiatus, inspired by local GJ player Tony Green. Unfortunately, I did not find Michael’s site until after I bought a Taylor 310ce, the closest thing I could find to a GJ guitar around here. Now, I've got an Altamira with my name on it heading my way later this month and may sell the Taylor (maybe not, though; can’t have too many guitars).

In the interim, found a jazz instructor that took the time to dissect GJ theory and soloing, but, at $50 a lesson without specific GJ experience, I dropped him. I subscribed to a Robin Nolan’s magazine and even bought his a "Minor Swing" master class. Later, I bought Yaakov Hoter’s video class on “Minor Swing” and learned the entire solo pretty close to speed. (For the same $50, Yaakov’s study is light years ahead in content and comprehensiveness.) I also picked up Yaakov’s Ballad study and learned a finger and pick style of “Tears.” I'm now working my way through Michael's Gypsy Picking book (reworking my “Minor Swing” solo), and Denis Chang’s accompaniment DVD. I've gotten used to using the 3.5 Wegen pick, but I'm researching others.

So, here’s what I'm thinking. Part of the impetus--in addition to the obvious attraction of playing Gypsy Jazz--is that this is an great way to get into through my final brick wall on guitar: jazz. I felt and still do feel that the energy of the music is a great motivator. There is, of course, much more to it than this. Little did I realize the specialization in picking and strumming styles were so exacting.

The main thing is, though, I don't look forward to spending the rest of my life woodshedding in a room, learning every single arpeggio, trying to get faster, playing for no one. What I do want to do is--within the limitations I have--play some of the most beautiful and interesting music I've ever heard.

To that end, I can now play pretty good versions of the two tunes I mentioned, but I can’t stretch very far in a solo beyond what I've learned by heart. I’m not so naive as to believe that there’s a shortcut to the proficiency I have in blues, r&b, folk and other genres (and they are not easily translatable to Gypsy Jazz), but I don't want to waste time either. I have made some inroads into studying this music, and I have been able to distinguish a few approaches that seem inherently better for me. I have been reading a lot of the old posts on this forum about learning to play, especially about those about being new to the style. I look forward to the arrival of my new real Gypsy Jazz guitar in the belief that it will further spur my interest and excitement for this music.

If you've read this far, I'd appreciate your comments on how to make the best use of my time learning this great music.

pickitjohn

@Chiefbigeasy
I like your avatar name very appropriate. Got four years on you and understand your situation.
As @stuart said about the new guitar is true. Congratulations I think you'll love your Altamira.
Sounds like your on the right track.
What works best for me is to listen to some Django or Gypsy Jazz and find the songs I want to add to the bag. Then I listen over & over again, at that point you may wish to check out the following web-site.

so now that you have a destination you can go here for the MAP

http://www.grilles-manouches.net

There are charts and chords with the G. J. fingerings.

Example…After your Gone

http://www.grilles-manouches.net/index.php/grilles-playbacks/2014-01-13-17-22-15/after-you-ve-gone

Dango in June would be a great treat, I'm putting it on my schedule for this year.

Lots of luck and HAVE FUN :-c

pick on

pickitjohn :peace:

MichaelHorowitz

@Chiefbigeasy Welcome to the wonderful world of Gypsy jazz! We'd all love to be able fire off the machine gun like lines of Jimmy Rosenberg, but that level of technique isn't necessary to play great music. I'd spend a lot of time listening to Django's simpler, more melodic solos. The 1936 version of Minor Swing you cited is great, as is I'll See You in My Dreams, and the 1947 version of Minor Blues that's transcribed in the Gypsy Picking book. Also, listen to melodic, straightforward players like Fapy Lafertin and Rodolphe Raffalli. A lot of what they play is possible to execute without practicing 20 hours a day.

A great way to start is to just take the melody of the song and embellish it a bit during your solo. Most listeners will enjoy that much more than a guy who squeezes in every double time lick he knows.

Good luck!

Jazzaferri

What Michael said in spades

Lango-Django

I'd be remiss in my role of #1 pompon waver for Daniel Givone if I failed to mention that his methods have been very helpful to many of us ageing newbies around here...

http://www.djangobooks.com/Item/daniel_givone_guitare_manouche

But at the risk of repeating myself, nobody ever went wrong by starting out with "Gypsy Picking".

Additionally, students at any level can always learn by attempting to copy the master himself, and there are several websites offering low price transcriptions.

I wish there were only a way to get good at this style really fast... best as I've been able to tell, that would involve a divorce, selling all your possessions and moving to France or Holland to hang out with the hot players and practising your ass off 16 hours a day!

Now where have those #%$&@ emoticons gone when I need them?

klaatu

It's good that you've started with Gypsy Picking; its's the only book that really dissects the GJ right hand technique in detail. It's essential to getting properly grounded in the style. Gypsy Rhythm does the same for you-know-what. Stephane Wrembel's book is also very good.

Beyond that, if you can't find a qualified teacher, Denis Chang's DVDs are invaluable - many hours of lessons from a world class instructor. Besides The Art of Accompaniment, which you have, the four volume Technique and Improvisation set covers soloing in great detail. It is also available as individual DVDs. It looks like a lot of money, but believe me, it's way more than worth it.

Does your name indicate that you're from New Orleans? The premiere gypsy jazz teaching event in the world is Django in June in Northampton Mass. You should check it out - instruction from masters is available at all levels, plus untold hours of jamming. People come from as far away as Australia, so NO is not that far. Just don't plan on getting much sleep.

Chiefbigeasy

I want to thank all you guys for your honest and helpful suggestions. I particularly like the idea about leaving my wife, job, and possessions and moving to Europe to study. While that is probably the most efficient course to learn Gypsy Jazz at this time, it is not currently feasible.

On the other hand, I do live in New Orleans, Louisiana: the birthplace of jazz, the music that gave rise to Gypsy Jazz. I have become increasingly aware of my city's role in the genesis of American music in general and Jazz in particular. New Orleans is one of the few cities in the world with an active music culture generating new music. For the last 20 years or so, for example, we have been developing the resurgence of the brass band. Check out the pioneering music of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and the more recent evolution, Trombone Shorty's band, Orleans. And, if you haven't had a chance to do so, pick up HBO's Treme and give it a watch. There's never been a better television program about New Orleans music and culture.

Unfortunately, Gypsy Jazz is not hot right now in New Orleans. There have been players in town like Tony Greene who had brought it to the fore for a while, but it's not on most people's radar here currently. Nonetheless, I do believe I can find players. Until then, there's always backing tracks and Band in a Box.

I want to especially thank you, Michael. I think you have created the premier Gypsy Jazz enthusiast site and mecca for those of us interested in this music. As I said, I'm working my way through your Gypsy Picking book, and I just got Gypsy Rhythm today in the mail (wow, that thing has got heft! ). Already, I have seen and heard improvements in my "Minor Swing" solo playing. I look forward to sinking my teeth into the gypsy rhythm and chord progressions you have laid out in your Gypsy Rhythm book.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the Django in June festival. But we do have one of the country's premier music events, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, coming around at the end of April and beginning of May. With a little luck, the promoters have included some Gypsy Jazz in the lineup.

And, if any of you guys are interested in a visit to New Orleans, please allow me to be your guide. I was born and raised here, and I have become somewhat knowledgeable myself regarding the music and culture of my town and state.

MichaelHorowitz

@Chiefbigeasy glad to hear you're making some progress with the books. Thanks for the kind words.... :oops:

Jazzaferri

Evan Christopher is based in NOLA. Check out his site...while not strictly GJ its pretty great stuff....and similar in rhythm concept.

Jazzaferri

One of his bands is called Django a la Creole. I love em.

Franz Morales

gypsy jazz here in the Philippines is virtually non-existent so I understand how you feel! I've been posting in groups, forums, and everywhere to no avail. I started an fb page for local manouche players and the only likes I got are from a friend who doesn't play any instrument and a bass player who I'm recruiting to the cause haha finding a gypsy guitar is even harder. lol

I'm also just starting and I find Yaakov Hoter's gypsyjazzschool.com to be very very helpful. Denis Chang's stuff too, and his DC music school is a very valuable resource.