A video of "How High the Moon"

Mitch

Hi to all,

It's been a while since my last articles on Djangobooks and I'm coming back slowly on the forum's discussions.
I just wanted to share with you this take of "How High the Moon".

It was not easy with the 35° C that day and I'm not used to shoot videos but I hope it will please you and I'm open to any constructive feedback!

The rhythm is played by my friend Stephan Nguyen. We have a band (the "Hot Club Saint-Germain") and he's also a soloist, a really great soloist.
The video was made by Martin Gioani who has a pedagogic french website "Guitare improvisation" with really cool stuff.

For some reason I can't embed the videos so here's the link:

https://michelmercier.fr/videos/

NylonDave

Mitch wrote: »

Hi to all,

.....I hope it will please you and I'm open to any constructive feedback!

It certainly did please me Mitch.

I don't have any constructive musical feedback but I might suggest that if ever I have need of Raphael Fays lookalike I'll be in touch.

D.

ChrisMartin

How dare you come on here with a rhythm player with no pick? Surely for some that would merit a lifetime ban? Whatever next, Nuages on a Telecaster? But hey, I loved it, and that style of 'Pompe' can certainly suit some arrangements; I might even try it myself now..............

Bones

Hmmm, video won't play for me???

malakka

Wouldn't work for me either. I clicked on the link above the video and watched the video. Great playing! To me it looks like the rhythm player has a pick. Before he starts playing it appears he has a pick between his thumb and forefinger.

Buco

Nice playing

Bones

Ok that link worked. Thanks, nice vid!!!

ChrisMartin

malakka wrote: »

To me it looks like the rhythm player has a pick. Before he starts playing it appears he has a pick between his thumb and forefinger.

Well yes, I was only half joking because I couldn't be sure, but if so he holds a pick way back under his thumb, and although the tone is quite soft, or muted, that may just be the way it was recorded in the room. I tried a few variations on 'pompe' strumming using thumb or first finger but couldn't get a good consistent sound. Has anyone else tried it?

PapsPier

I already said it on the french forum but it does not hurt to say it again: good job Mitch! Nice sound, melodic phrases with a powerful attack that gives this old style flavor. I love it.

And to play the pompe without pick you need the hand of wolverine. I tried it but it just ruins your fingers and nails so fast!

Buco

Gunter Stephan does a pretty good la-thumb-pompe.

NylonDave

Chris Martin wrote: »

I tried a few variations on 'pompe' strumming using thumb or first finger but couldn't get a good consistent sound. Has anyone else tried it?

I've tried a lot of different ways of doing something fingerstyle that is reasonably supportive of Gypsy Jazz style soloing. It will absolutely destroy nails if done on a steel string.

If you are really interested Chris I could start another thread, as I don't want to distract from Mitch's excellent playing here. But it might not be that interesting to purists as what I do on my flamenca never really sound too much like a well executed Pompe does on a selmac. It just kind of is it's own thing and I doubt it is to too many peoples taste.

D.