Mel Bay Publications
Level : Intermediate


This book focuses on the key elements of the Django Reinhardt Gypsy jazz or jazz Manouche guitar style. The information revealed here was gleaned from years of experience jamming with French Gypsies and studying with masters of the style. A native of France, Stephane Wrembel acquired his skills entirely by ear and has taught scores of musicians worldwide using the method that appears here in text and notation for the first time.
Written in English, German and French with all musical examples in standard notation and tablature, Wrembel conveys his knowledge in a logical step by step manner, exposing the reader to the authentic Manouche style as it continues to evolve in France and Holland. Medium to advanced in difficulty, this method is designed for the guitarist who is already familiar with jazz harmony and note locations on the fretboard.


Part One: Technique and Rhythm
     Chapter 1: Right Hand Technique and Warm-Up
     Chapter 2: Voicings
     Chapter 3: Accompaniment
Part Two: Improvisation
     6 Basic Shapes for Improvisation
     Expanding on the Subject Matter: Complete Shapes
     A Plan of Approach Essential to Gypsy Jazz
     Arpeggio Extensions: Adding Color
     Diminished Arpeggio - 7th Chord Arpeggio Mix
     4 Measures Examples, V7 1 Progression
     "Gypsy Swing in Minor"
     Harmonic Minor Scale
     Melodic Minor Scale
     Whole-Tone Scale
     Concepts in One or Two Notes Per String Groupings
     The Chromatic Scale
     Chromatic Approach and Three Notes Per String Grouping Concept
     Combining Fingerings for 2 and 3 Notes Per String
     Substitutions
     Transcribing