Technique Video

A video on what forms, basically, the basic basis of basic gypsy jazz technique. Basically:

Rhythm Guitar

Here's a couple of videos on the most important job you have as a swing guitarist:

Charlie Christian's solo on I've Found a New Baby

Tabs for the solo to follow.... This solo is the daddy when it comes to minor 6 licks on minors and dominants.

Minor Sixth Substitute for Soloing on Dominant Chords

Today's lesson is based around a common swing (and bebop) era trick - simply take the boring old dominant chord and substitute a minor sixth a fifth higher (or a fourth lower) for a more floating and sophisticated sound. While I associate this substitute with Charlie Christian it was also heavily used by most of his contemporaries including Lester Young, Django and Charlie Parker

(I'll be posting more info on the great Charlie Christian later so watch this space.)

Here is the tab for the lesson:

Djangology - Learning Materials

I'd like to quickly plug my new youtube channel which is closely linked to this blog. I'll be posting video lessons and videos of my playing here.

This week, the focus is on the tune, Djangology. This tune is suitable for the more intermediate student and has a few challenges. See below for my version of the tune! Here is my lesson in which I give some ideas and concepts for soloing over the difficult A section:

Here is the original recording, by Django... Notice he doesn't play the melody quite the same. The version I play is the standard used at jam sessions, but Django's version is rather more 'free form.' There's also a very cool intro with harmonised arpeggios for guitar and fiddle. 

Here is a play-along, courtesy of the Gonzalo Bergara Quartet... He also gives the chords!

Playing Djangology on my Altamira Guitar

A basic repertoire for Gypsy Jazz

I thought I'd quickly stick up a basic repertoire of tunes that you might encounter at a jam session such as the Tuesday night at Le Quecumbar. I'm sure there'll be a few missing here, and will update as time goes on.

I've separated them into 4 difficulty levels, with 1 being beginner level, and 4 being the sort of thing you might tackle with a year or two of playing under your belt.

I also give standard keys. Bear in mind that these are the keys that violinists and guitarists like to play. You will find that clarinettists like different keys for almost everything!

NOTE: This is not quite the same as a swing/trad repertoire. There's a strong cross over, but they are not the same thing exactly. You will also find that the Gypsy changes are sometimes quite different to the changes played by other jazz musicians.

Level 1

Coquette	D
Dark Eyes	Dm
Dinah	F
Honeysuckle Rose	F
Lady be Good	G
Swing 48	Gm

Level 2

Blue Skies	Am
I Can't Give You Anything But Love	G
J'Attendrai	C
Minor Swing	Am
Rose Room	F
Sweet Sue	G
Swing Gitane	Gm

Level 3

All of Me	C
Bossa Dorado	Em
Danse Norvegienne	C
Daphne	D
Django's Tiger	A
Douce Ambience	Gm
I Got Rhythm	Bb
I'll See You in My Dreams	F
Manoir de Mes Reves	D
Nuages	F/G
Sheik of Araby	Bb
Songe D'Automne	Dm
Swing 39	G
Tears	C
Them There Eyes	D

Level 4

After You've Gone	G
Belleville	D
Cherokee	Bb
Djangology	G
Limehouse Blues	G
Montagne Sainte-Genevieve	Em
Tea for Two	Ab (poss G)
There Will Never Be Another You	Eb
Troublant Bolero	E