Django and Charlie Christian

lacrossehotclub

His solos are really great, very musical, lots of fun, and he's definitely a pioneer, but his playing is essentially based on specific patterns. Very effective but also very predictable. In transcribing his solos, sometimes i would hear the first two notes, and then write out the rest out on my own before listening, and it would be exactly that or very close.

The book "The Guitar Chord Shapes of Charlie Christian" by Joseph Weidlich breaks this down a bit. A typical CC phrase has three parts; 1) a few pickup notes, 2) a core lick of 4-5 notes centered on a chord shape, and 3) a tag that often resolves to a root, 5th or 3rd. The pickups and tags are somewhat interchangeable. It's a simple approach in a way but CC's phrasing and inspired variations are a marvel to behold. I find that having music deconstructed like this is really helpful in hearing the patterns and progressing musically.

Kudos to you Dennis for taking on this project. When you're ready to release your analysis and lessons of CC's style there will be many guitar players like myself who will continue to benefit greatly from your insight and generous contributions.

Jeff Moore

Someone else was trying to find evidence of DR studying CC or visa versa. It's possible these ships past each other in the night, but it seems unlikely, especially as the world got "smaller" in WW2 and people went in all directions. Jazz guitarists playing to the public would be hard pressed not to know who else is around.

Jazzaferri

While I have heard a few comments over the years that CC knew of Django, none of which were real authorities on the subject.

personally ..I don't hear any such influence in CC's playing

And as for it going the other way....well.....given the personality involved I doubt it. LOL

My oldest friend's dad was one of the top jazz guitar players in Vancouver in the 50's and growing up we used to hear him practice all the time....he was a real fan and somewhat influenced by Django. I hadn't really thought about it until this morning....but that is probably partly why I love this style of music....my friend is a trumpet player....go figure

Teddy Dupont

In an interview in 1946, Django said he did listen to others guitarists like Teddy Bunn and Charlie Christian but his favourite musicians were Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.

In another interview and I'm quoting from memory here as I cannot find it at the moment, he said there was nothing to be learned from Eddie Lang and he questioned the technical capability of American guitarists.

Al Watsky

Louie and Duke. Thats it.

Jazzaferri

Teddy Dupont wrote: »

In another interview and I'm quoting from memory here as I cannot find it at the moment, he said there was nothing to be learned from Eddie Lang and he questioned the technical capability of American guitarists.

Now that is more like the Django I have read about.

Steveareno

Thanks Dennis, for posting the YT clips, especially the Kansas City Six. Great to hear Freddie Green and Eddie Durham (co-composer of Topsy) playing together. That's some serious rhythm. KC was a wide open town with a lot of hot bands and late night jams. As far as DJ being influenced by US guitarists, he seemed to play everything by ear, doing it his way, with whatever voicings he could come up with. I sense there was a friendly rivalry between the French and U.S. guitarists, so it doesn't surprise me about his Eddie Lang comments. Too bad Lang passed so early. I think he was still developing. Wonder how he would have sounded on electric?
Swang on,

Jazzaferri

I know Django was influenced a bit by Benny Carter, (alto sax), as Django stole a few of his licks.

Jazz back then was horn centric and I beleive that would have been the big influence. IMO he did play more like a horn player....and in part that is why he was technically so much more advanced than the rest of his guitar contemporaries from prewar times.