Gypsy Picking Technique

[Tintin]

Hello all
Biefly, for the last seven years or so, I have been a member of the rhythm section from The Hotclub of Cambridge. The band is based about 100km north of London in the UK.
Several months ago, I discovered chord melody and Howard Aldens version of "I'm forever Blowing Bubbles" from the film, "Sweet and Lowdown"
I was able to play it using the "Gypsy Picking" technique which suits the style and feel of the piece.
My question guys, are there any other arrangements out their that are similar and would suit the Gypsy Picking technique

Have only just discovered this excellent site
Keep up the good work

Many thanks
Tintin (out)

[Blue(s) Skies]

Could you tell me what Gypsy technique's about? How do you pick gypsy-like?
Perhaps I know the technique and therefore I can tell you some songs. But at the moment I don't have the faintest idea about the Gypsy Picking.

, Blue(s) Skies

[philipmgibson]

Am I correct in assuming you mean chord melody played with a plectrum (pick)? There are a lot of guys who can do this, unfortunately I'm not one of them. But this like will let you see some one who can really pull this technique off.
YouTube - ‪When I fall in love - chord melody jazz guitar‬‎

[Blue(s) Skies]

I suppose you want to learn how to play chords with a pick. If not correct me.

[Tintin]

The basic principal behind gypsy picking is that all stokes are down strokes even when decsending from a high string to a lower one. the only time an up stroke is played is when consecutive notes ae played on the same string. This video demonstrates the technique rather well




YouTube - ‪I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles‬‎

[dcmey]

I have done some studying on Django Rheinhardt and I found this site that may be able to help the OP ++ D j a n g o + S w i n g p a g e ++ I hope that helps you find the info you want.

[SHR]

I'm a bit late to this thread - and usually lurk here -- but I can't resist a comment because Alden's arrangement of Bubbles got me into playing chord melody with a pick. I don't think it is played with down strokes on the record, nor does it have much string dampening which I also associate with gypsy picking. In the film it is played by Sean Penn on a Selmer D-hole, but the recording doesn't sound like a Selmer. Alden says he wrote it in the style of Eddie Lang and gave it a rubato feel because Penn is just playing it lazily in bed for his girlfriend. He also says it lends itself well to fingerstyle, which is true, but I find it is best played with a plectrum. I was really struck by the different tones and dynamics I could achieve with a plectrum, especially on an arch-top played acoustically. Although not as versatile for chord melody as fingerstyle, using a pick has given me a way of defining my own style. With some exceptions, most fingerstyle arrangements can be easily adapted for plectrum playing by using string skips (or plucking a string with one of your spare fingers) when nothing else will do. These days I usually use real books and play chords and melody with a few arpeggio runs and swinging bass notes to fill it out. I don't see why this can't be done with Gypsy picking - in fact, I have a CD somewhere of Django playing solo. I'm sure everyone knows Django's Tea for Two but this youtube clip has the tab as well: YouTube - Tea For Two - Django Reinhardt

[guelda]

Hi all,

just to thank you SHR for the video, this tab seems pretty accurate, I'll may try it someday. And it's been a while since I listened to Django, what a sound ! He's so unique, one of the greatest master ...and he didn't know theory at all ! Just incredible.

Regarding the arrangements you asked Tintin, he are a few examples of such songs played in chord-melody with Gypsy picking techinque (Lollo Meier, Fapy Lafertin) :

YouTube - Lollo Meier
YouTube - lollo meier
YouTube - Fapy Lafertin


Have a good day
Guelda

[Tintin]

Thanks SHR and Guelda for the links

Best regards
Tintin