Description

Paul Mehling teaches and analyzes the styles of Django Reinhardt and other great swing players of the 30’s & 40’s.Lesson One – Rhythm: They don’t call it “hot guitar” for nothing! The driving style pioneered by Django Reinhardt and other Gypsy players became one of the dominant sounds in jazz during the thirties and forties, and its influence is still strongly felt today. Paul Mehling knows the style as well as anyone, and he takes it apart in detail for the learning player. A band won’t swing without a strong rhythm section, and the powerful guitar accompaniment that typifies the Gypsy style is the foundation of this terrific lesson. Starting with basic four-to-the-bar comping and damping, Paul takes you through a variety of accompanyment ideas: arpeggios, “splayed” chords, “the gallop,” chord tremolo, right hand speed and other advanced techniques. You’ll gain an understanding of the particular harmonic structures of this music through chord voicings, progressions, and accompaniments to classics such as “Minor Blues,” “Orie ntal Shuffle” and “I’ll See You In My Dreams.” Paul also provides invaluable advice on learning from recordings, use of the metronome, and a look at his rare Maurice DuPont guitars. Includes some hot jamming with Paul and Tony Mandraccia, rhythm guitar. Lesson Two – Soloing: This fascinating look at the art of improvisation in the Gypsy jazz tradition shows you how to really swing! Paul Mehling, leader of the Hot Club of San Francisco, has a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of this powerful and infectious style, and he provides a wealth of information and playing tips to get you off to a solid start. Before long, you’ll be playing exciting solos in the style typified by Django Reinhardt, Birelli Lagrenne and other hot players of this dynamic genre. You’ll learn the theory and playing techniques behind the music, including the exercises, scales, modes and arpeggiated picking (“the heart of the Reinhardt style”) that will allow you to come up with your own improvisations. He includes advice on fingering, use of the metronome, singing your solos and how to “focus your attention so your hands can play what your ears hear.” Paul teaches the special elements that give this music its distinctive ring: “sweep” picking, ornaments (glissandos, trills, bends, tremolo, vibrato, etc.), diminished and augmented runs, triplets and the other special sounds that “put the Gypsy in Gypsy swing.” Includes some hot jamming with Paul and Tony Mandraccia, rhythm guitar. Each lesson is 60 minutes. This video is just plain hilarious.