Sadly I am giving up Gypsy Jazz

diminishedrun

Well last night I had to make a big decision regarding my guitar playing.

I’ve not been playing Gypsy Jazz guitar very long - had bought a stunning Le Voi guitar - but I realised that it’s just not my thing. Basically, my heart lies in playing and singing songs (think Simon and Garfunkel et al) and I have invested a lot in this area. I realised that whilst I was progressing in GJ - especially rhythm aspect, I wasn’t as motivated to listen and in my listening time I invariably found myself listening to songwriters. I’m not great at musical multitasking and I already have a very busy art practice which is my lifelong passion.

So, I’ll be putting my Le Voi guitar up for sale soon and hope in time it will sell. I have only posted a few messages here but it is a great friendly forum.

Thanks all.

adrian

Absolutely nothing wrong with Simon and Garfunkel! Good luck and best wishes. :-)

Adrian

Buco

As Adrian said.

But keep in mind most of the songs in the GJ repertoire come from the great American songbook and are performed in the past by every great singer you can think of.

Plus there are some wonderful GJ albums with vocals (there was thread about it here) from Robin Nolan, Bireli, Rosenberg Trio, Black Market Trust, Scaramouche, Cyrille Aimee...
So at least do yourself a favor and listen to some of that stuff and stay close to it.

And don't be so quick with getting rid of your Le Voi. These guitars aren't a one trick pony, they sound just as good playing a Sound of Silence as they do on Minor Swing.

diminishedrun

Thanks Buco

Essentially I have always struggled to enjoy any form of jazz but I saw Gypsy Jazz as more accessible. However, what brought me to this rather quick conclusion was firstly, I was finding that I didn’t truly enjoy listening to the improvisational aspect of the genre: when a recogniseable tune morphs into something unrecognizable only to resolve to the recognizable towards the end, and secondly, the lack of regular opportunities to sit with other musicians and grow as a musician - I don’t particularly enjoy playing to backing tracks.

But most of this is definitely borne out of never growning up around any form of jazz so it’s never really resonated with me.

Regarding the guitar - I may hang onto it but we’ll see. My thinking is that it should go to someone who will use it - I’m not keen for it to sit in a case because it deserves to be played. I realize I will loose some money but hopefully it will find a new home sooner or later.

PapsPier

I think it is appropriate to share that beautiful version of SOund of Silence by Antoine Boyer.



Good luck for your future projects whatever they might be

diminishedrun

Thank you.

Bones

Funny I had the opposite experience. My parents always had classic jazz records at home and occasionally live jazz for parties so I was well exposed but had no interest. Then when I was in like my mid 30s I 'heard' it and got the bug. I guess early immersion counts for something.

diminishedrun

Hi Bones

Yes it’s strange. With me the immersion has stuck all my life. The other aspect which I didn’t mention properly are lyrics. I am incredibly interested in lyrics and it is this aspect which pulls me back to songs.

Josechiky

Also, don't give up definitively without checking out Luke Hill's Youtube channel :-).

AndrewUlle

Josechiky wrote: »

Also, don't give up definitively without checking out Luke Hill's Youtube channel :-).

Looks like that channel has been dormant for quite some time...too bad. I liked what I heard.

Josechiky

Andrew Ulle wrote: »

Josechiky wrote: »

Also, don't give up definitively without checking out Luke Hill's Youtube channel :-).

Looks like that channel has been dormant for quite some time...too bad. I liked what I heard.

I'd like to see and listen new stuff by Luke Hill too.Anyway,his old material is still there,so we can still enjoy his music.