May 18, 2013

Will probably be buying Gypsy Picking book. Then will try to divide available practice time into three segments using:

1) Gypsy Picking book

2) Gypsy Improv DVD

3) Getting into Gypsy Jazz book

May 16, 2013

Lots of logs in the fire:

1) Playing a benefit soon with the band. This will be my last gig with them.

2) Will be playing a rock and roll gig soon with a very temporary band. 

3) Still to learn Gypsy Jazz

4) Starting 50's / 60's band soon

5) Would like to get back somehow into songwriting and music creation

6) Would like to learn more Robert Conti "Assembly Line" material.

May 9, 2013

Forgot to have mentioned that I'm still reading the Django biography, and it is quite good. Practiced some more stuff taken from the DVD today. Talked to our keyboard/saxophone/bass player about an idea that we will probably be pursuing: just a duet of me on guitar and him on keyboard (playing standards) at restaurant gigs for $. Still to pursue Gypsy Jazz band, but this would be a little side thing for cash. The 50's / 60's band is still in the mix too.

May 8, 2013

Practiced a bit this morning; started listening to my new Django CD set.

May 7, 2013

Received my new Django CDs... Gave my daughter a guitar lesson.... Practiced Django DVD and tried my hand at transcription (difficult!).... Listened to the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" with my son (an important event!)... Listened to some of a CD my son wanted me to hear (Atoms for Peace), but it was too electronic for me. Son is now into Radiohead and Nick Drake! Listened to a CD about the meaning of life made by a Catholic priest....it was excellent, convicting, and thought provoking...emphasizes the importance that Jesus should have in my life, but there is so much more on the CD.

Django, Louis, me, and melodies and improvisations

His name means "I awake." Ahhh, to be able to improvise music like Django did...and seeming effortlessly. The ability to translate emotions, the spirit of God, and one's very soul into an improvised musical statement is to me such a worthwhile goal. That ability to improvise, or compose and play immediately has for such a long time been a desire of mine. For a while there, i was interested in playing ballad piano
melodies using the Sudnow voicings. But now, having the ability to communicate that which can never quite be communicated verbally in such a way as in utilizing that transcendent and spiritual vehicle called musical
improvisation is such a goal
of mine. Speed of play as well as technical prowess never really impressed me. What gets to me is the power of a beautiful melody. Louis Armstrong, for example. And Django did it with just two fingers. The beauty of the playing for me outshines technical prowess or speed. I could care less how high a note someone can hit or how fast he or she might play. But the ability to improvise a melody is just amazing.

May 3, 2013

Fun(ny) practice tonight! Had some laughs with the band while rehearsing. Looks like only two more rehearsals and then I'll be playing my last gig with them. Our keyboard/bassist/saxophone player could not make it tonight so I had fun singing the Johnny Rivers song "Memphis" in his place. Ordered some more Django CDs tonight (the London and Paris stuff; I believe its the the second set of the chronological series). I already have the first set. Enjoying his biography very much.

May 2, 2013

A good day of learning Gypsy Jazz but didn't pick up the guitar. Going through the first DVD; got thru about 1/2 hr or so of it...learning...

April 30, 2013

Going in a different learning direction. Instead of the book I've been using, I decided to use the DVD "Jazz Manuche Technique & Improvisation Volume 1" by Denis Chang. From now on in this blog, I'll refer to this DVD as simply "the first DVD." I think the book I was using was good, but I get the feeling that this DVD (the first in a series) will be easier to follow in terms of actual application of concepts into improvisation as well as minimizing mistakes I might make due to the visual allowed in a DVD. I much prefer a book over a DVD; going to probably just write out the concepts, patterns, etc.

April 29, 2013

Added another minor arpeggio pattern.

April 28, 2013

Ok so it's sinking in a bit. I'm not just learning the G and Am arpeggios in the "Getting into Gypsy Jazz" book, but rather I'm learning all the major and minor forms by utilizing the roots. I was thinking of using the Romane book, but I don't want to go looking around for the "magic bullet" or ultimate method of learning Gypsy Jazz; looking for the ultimate method of learning piano sure didn't work for me. Let's stick with one method and go for it.

April 25, 2013

Finished learning the G major arpeggio forms. May revisit the Romane book.

Oscar Aleman

Practicing my arpeggios in G major. Want to hear some absolutely beautiful music featuring Gypsy guitar? Play "Dolores" as performed by Oscar Aleman...Recently got his double disc set: "Swing Guitar Masterpieces 1938-1957." He was a contemporary of and friends with Django, but never reached the popularity attained by Django.

April 23, 2013

Short but sweet guitar practice of G major arpeggios.

April 22, 2013

So saddened to hear of the recent death of an old high school friend. What a nice guy. Smiling. I was dabbling with trumpet at the time while he was playing trombone. So so sad.