and Play Along CD - Volume 2
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1. Dinette 2. Minor Blues 3. Oriental Shuffle 4. All Of Me 5. Rhythm Changes 6. Swing 42 7. Daphne (slow & medium version) 8. Bellville (slow & medium version) 9. Rose Room 10. I Love You 11. Hungaria |
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Welcome back. By now you are probably familiar with our first book RNTB1. We have had a lot of success with this teaching method both in Gypsy Jazz workshops as well as one on one tuition, and many musicians from all over the world have given us the go ahead for book two.
We have stepped up the difficulty factor just a little and included a selection of songs rich in harmonic variation. Their are seven different key signatures to get your hands and mind around which apart from anything else, will go a long way in teaching you the different positions on the neck. Several of the tunes have been recorded with a slow and medium version on the CD and a few of the songs are played at tempos more like you would expect to hear in a gypsy camp setting at Samois.
This, the second book in the RNT play along series takes a look at Django's famous "Minor Blues." This chord progression has been played constantly throughout the history of jazz. Robin has transcribed the head for you to get a feel of the real Django under your fingers.
Another worthy Django challenge comes in the improvised head over the changes of the swing tune "Rose Room". Robin has transcribed this famous Django version which will help you get inside the mind and around the fret board of Django's musical genius.
Also in this volume we have chosen four of Django's most popular songs derived from Gershwin's influential jazz classic, "I've Got Rhythm". Along with the "Blues," the "Rhythm Changes" are said to be the backbone of Jazz harmony and improvisation and Django was an absolute master at both.
Added to this we have included several important Gypsy Jazz Standards including "All Of Me" and " Hungaria" both of which are played constantly in gypsy jazz circles.
So, for the most part we are continuing along the same lines as RNTB1. We are dedicated to the cause, we know it works, we've seen it work, and no matter what other books you use in your quest for knowledge, you will always be able to come back to this series, load the CD, check out a chart, and just play. That's really what it's all about.
REVIEWS - RNTB2
Garry Bowlds - SF Bay Area Djamming Djangophiles, USA
Your books are the best. I recently picked up a copy of Volume 2 and I have learned more from it, than all the other gypsy books and videos I've bought put together. I am planning on making your books our group bible!
Andy MacKenzie - "Just Jazz Guitar, USA ", 2001
For those who wish to hone their solo chops to songs like "All Of Me and "Minor Blues",an invaluable assistance is available in Robin and Paul's song book volume 2. The concept is the same as volume 1, but this time the content extends beyond the Samois camp fire set list. Sure, the Django favorites are included, but they are more harmonically interesting. "Belleville", "Minor Blues" and "Swing 42" sit with modern gypsy classics "Hungaria" and "Latcho Drom" to offer a varied, yet essential repertoire for the gypsy jazzer.
So put the CD in your player, get your Maccaferri, familiarize yourself with the chord changes in the book, and play along with the backing tracks. To increase the fun, Robin and Paul have recorded the backing tracks at various tempos ; slower grooves to get your ideas flowing, and faster "Samois jamming" paces. This is without a doubt the best way to practice, and if you turn the volume up and play your acoustic guitar hard, it is the best boot camp for your next gypsy jam.
As with the first volume the criticism of a tab only lead sheet will be stated by many reviewers, but I can understand the author's reasons for format. Gypsy jazz is fundamentally folk music. It has been learned by the true masters at the feet of the previous generation's stars. Perhaps this lack of a stave may assist in players actually learning tunes and not just reading them. The art of this music, as with all forms of improvisation, is a full understanding of the base tune, both melodically and harmonically. As with the original Aebersold "Music minus one" series, this teaching method is the best way to learn your art if you are not around a great rhythm section all the time. Nolan and Meader have merely extended the concept into the gypsy field. As with volume 1, this book and accompanying CD are an essential purchase by every gypsy jazzer.
David McCarty - "Acoustic Guitar, USA ", 2001
While other instruction texts aim to teach the blistering runs of Gypsy-Jazz giants like Django Reinhardt, guitarist Robin Nolan and bassist Paul Meader have created a series that teaches aspiring players how to teach the style's standards repertoire. Taking great care to show the exact chord shapes used by the Gypsy guitarists, Nolan and Meader lead the student through the melodies and rhythm patterns of ten classic's, including "Swing 42" and "Daphne". On the play-along CD, Nolan states each melody and several choruses of rhythm backup allow the student to play the melody or try a solo with a real swing rhythm section.
Joel Beaver - email customer, USA, 2002
Hey guys, I just want to say, you are doing a great service by putting out the Gypsy Jazz instruction books and I thank you for rescuing me from guitar abyss. I love Django and this is one style I really want to play. However, I was at the point of such frustration trying to learn this stuff I was ready to smash my guitar and give up. But then I happened to stumble onto your web site and ordered your books and bam !! I'm flying along and actually enjoying playing guitar again. It would be such a sad life to listen to this beautiful music and not be able to play it. I am also turning other guitarists onto Django and your books so hopefully there will be more Americans who know how to play it right. I am sure there are lots of others who feel the same way I do. Thanks again and keep up the good work !!!