Gypsy Swing & Hot Club Rhythm for Guitar by Dix Bruce. Learn chords, melodies, lyrics, how to play rhythm and more on 12 great standards recorded by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Learn while jamming with the recorded band!

Book with CD plus downloadable audio

This book is sold by Mel Bay Publications.
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Additional Details

Learn 12 great swing standards recorded by Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli, and the Quintette of the Hot Club of France.

Play along with a great Gypsy Swing Rhythm Section and learn chords, comping, and melodies, then let the band back you up as you practice chords and soloing. You play all the leads while the band backs you up. Beginners can practice basic skills while more advanced players can hone their improvisation chops, each at their own individual learning pace.

Includes standard notation, tablature, chord diagrams, lyrics, playing tips, and more. Each song is presented on the CD or the downloadable audio at slow and regular speed. First you’ll hear the melody played at a slow speed with just guitar backup, then it’s repeated at regular speed with the band. The back up band is a classic “Hot Club”- style rhythm section with two acoustic rhythm guitars and string bass. Split track mixing on the recording allows the student to hear just the melody (while reading along in the book) or just the rhythm section, or both for maximum flexibility and specific study. Leads are played on Selmer-style guitar for that Gypsy Swing sound. Finally the band plays several choruses and you play all the leads. Songs may be repeated, at slow or regular speed, as many times as you wish in order to perfect phrases, melodies and solos in a band context. Potential for improvement is unlimited. Mandolin version also available.

 

The band, l. to r.: Jason Vanderford, Steve Hanson, Dix Bruce.

Samples:
Sample pages
Audio sample 1
Audio sample 2

Watch Dix demonstrate how to work with the Gypsy Swing & Hot Club Rhythm sets on guitar.
Watch Dix demonstrate how to work with the Gypsy Swing & Hot Club Rhythm sets on mandolin.

 

Table of Contents:
Introduction to Gypsy Swing
How to work with the book and CD
Swing Guitar Rhythm
Avalon
The Sheik of Araby
Some of These Days
After You’ve Gone
Baby Won’t You Please Come Home?
Swing in Minor
Chicago
China Boy
St. Louis Blues
Rose Room
Dark Eyes
Swingin’ Like ’42

Customer comment:
“Dear Dix,
First time, ever, writing a letter like this. But, felt compelled to… I’m 61 years old and started playing guitar about 3 1/2 years ago … The music that makes me happy to be alive is Gypsy Swing. I have bought DVDs by ***, ***, and about three others. Also books on Django and books on arpeggios etc., etc., etc..

All of this was so over my head, so overwhelming, so frustrating. Most of the technique and scales and arpeggios were disjointed and had really no similarity to the music I was listening to. Not their fault, just over my level.

… Three weeks ago I came across your book/CD “Gypsy Swing and Hot Club Rhythm for Guitar.” … I started with “Avaoln” — right away I liked the format with the chord diagrams, the melody, and the finger number placements [tablature] for the melody. Now, what’s most amazing is that I spent hours watching the *** tapes and still (for some strange reason) could not get the “le Pompe” sound. (Granted I blame myself or my level of understanding). Yet immediately I picked it up from you, Jason, and Steve…

After playing “Avalon” and “The Sheik” I immediately ordered the second book/CD. I’ve spent 3 weeks so far with the 1st book and plan to spend a lot more time with it before I move on. I love the use of the 7th and 6th chords. “Swingin’ Like ’42” is just what I’m talking about. The melody is great. I can play it medium slow but it still sounds great. That’s the Django sound.”
– G.N. Long Beach, NY

Customer comment: “…Thanks for the (downloadable) ‘extras’ for the Gypsy Swing book. A good mix of easy and challenging songs, songs & tunes I know and some I hadn’t heard before, in keys I usually avoid. Thanks…”
– S.H. Urbandale, IA

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