Manouche guitars used in other genres?

VeedonFleece · January 2015

Thanks, @husy ! I'll give the Aygiz idea a go. We are trying to work up versions of a couple of Ibrahim Tatlises numbers too. I agree with you about harmonic (and stylistic) similarities between Turkish music and manouche styles. There has always been a lot of cross-pollination going on in Ottoman/Turkish music -- and there still is. Remember all those Paco de Lucia clones who were all over virtually every pop recording coming out of Istanbul in the 90s?

Russell Letson · January 2015

I suppose it depends on the particular guitar--I chose my Dunn Daphne partly because I could hear more than gypsy-jazz sounds coming out of it. Other Selmer-style instruments I've played were not as inviting. But when I can take only one guitar to a gig where my partner might call anything from Johnny Cash to Ellington to Jerry Jeff Walker to a blues, I take the Dunn, which I fingerpick as often as I flatpick. Michael is not the only builder whose instruments I find this flexible--I've played Shelley Park and Bernie Lehmann guitars I would happily have owned, and the Dell'Arte that preceded my Dunn got played out in the same way I do the Dunn. That said, I've also played very dry, gnashy petite bouche models that struck me as being much less versatile.

Steveareno · January 2015

Good points about the design, Stuart. Interesting that some of the French pop singers of the day like Henri Savador used them. Enrico Macias had a signature model Favino. I'm sure there were others. Forum member, Adrian H. has diverse and outstanding arrangements, from the Beatles to Super Mario Bros. There's a group called Swing Deville that does some nice Western Swing. I personally like to mix it up and find my Dell Arte usually fits nicely in most styles. They're very versatile guitars
Swang on,

kungfumonk007 · January 2015

Shameless self promotion time. I use my Zwinakis in all kinds of genres - most of my new album isn't really gypsy jazz - I have one track up on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wDSnqfLnYeY

Of course you can preview the album here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/menagerie/id952930432

It has Bob Marley, Beatles, Film Music (River Waltz), Mozart, Leonard Cohen, Eric Satie, Artie Shaw - so lots of styles outside of gypsy jazz.

I have had fun with a modified Tremelo (classical not gypsy) doing Recuerdos de la Ahmbra. Last time I tried it I could get through the entire thing at a good tempo (without any repeats). Really not an endurance technique with a pick :0) this is from years ago. It is a fun technique, I think more guys should try it and play some of those classical tunes:

jwpfeifer · January 2015

Great stuff @kungfumonk007 - I really liked the River Waltz. Very nice writing! Excellent!

kungfumonk007 · January 2015

:0) I didn't write that one - Alexandre Desplat - part of the film score from the movie "Painted Veil"

jwpfeifer · January 2015

@kungfumonk007 well, it's great playing and great tone! I loved it. I noticed from your web site that you have played with Joscho Stephan. That is truly impressive. He is one of the best players I've ever heard in this genre and one of the best guitar players I've ever heard period.

It's weird but I've been playing guitar for so many years but only recently discovered Gypsy Jazz in the past few years, and wondering where this music has been hiding all of my life. I'd heard hints of it in rockabilly, western swing, and Les Paul's playing that I've always loved, but only now I'm going to the source. The other thing I'm finding is that the caliber of players who do this style are, by and large, extraordinary musicians. I've yet to find many Youtube videos of people hacking this style to pieces. Most of what I find are seasoned musicians like yourself who are great players.

Thanks for sharing that tune. -Jim

kungfumonk007 · January 2015

I'm in the same boat. I started GJ maybe 5-6 years ago and only knew Django, and Jimmy Rosenberg and had no idea anyone else was playing it or that a whole new modern style existed. When I found a whole world of unbelievable players doing unbelievable things I was extremely shocked, amazed and intimidated. I practice my $%^# off every day just to keep up with the bottom rung, and forget about keeping up with Joscho or Gonzalo, they are just in another stratosphere. There are some videos of me hacking the style to pieces :0), but hopefully I've learned a few things since I started.

Well you should post some videos of your discovery of the style. It is always fun for us all to see and hear new players.