Gypsy jazz on Stratocaster-Bireli Lagrene

[kris]

[Sleeko]

Sure why not. Bireli is really gettin it!

[Average Joe]

If I remember correctly it's one of the lower tier Yamaha Pacificas, and he's been using it on an off for years

[jim777]

Is that really a "Strat" though, if it's got 2 P90s (and is a Yamaha Pacifica)?

[kris]

Is that really a "Strat" though, if it's got 2 P90s (and is a Yamaha Pacifica)?

Both the body and bridge are similarly to Stratocaster.
Precisely it is a stratocaster style guitar....with P90 at the neck and humbucer at the bridge.
Often similar constructions are called Superstrat.

[mr. beaumont]

I'll get hate mail for this, but the best strats these days are made by Yamaha and Ibanez.

[jim777]

I was really just being a bit facetious; I understand that doesn't really come across well on the internet. Suhr also makes an excellent Strat shaped object

[kris]

[MarkA]

Thanks for posting this, great to hear Bireli and two of my favorites in this genre, Hono Winterstein, rhythm guitar, and William Brunard, bass.

[arnie65]

Like my old teacher used to say; "It's not the arrow, it's the indian"
If you want to be really impressed, look for a clip of Bireli playing bass, or violin!!!



Arnie...

[jads57]

Birelli is The Bomb! I don’t think there’s a style or stringed instrument I’ve ever seen him play w/ out any trouble! Thanks for the inspiration and joy Birelli!

[rahulthemusicman]

Hi guys,

I've been playing with a pick for a while and i have this tendency to rest my pinky finger (lightly) on guitar's body while soloing or playing arpeggios. Is my technique wrong? Should I change it? (I've been playing like this for over 7-8 years now, it would be difficult).

If i dont change, what are the demerits?

Asking because everyone i see online playing gypsy jazz have their right hand complete in air.

[jim777]

Welcome Rahul!

Django is the most famous Gypsy jazz guitarist, right? Given that, I think it's pretty safe to say whatever gets the notes from you to the audience is absolutely fine

[olejason]

Hi guys,

I've been playing with a pick for a while and i have this tendency to rest my pinky finger (lightly) on guitar's body while soloing or playing arpeggios. Is my technique wrong? Should I change it? (I've been playing like this for over 7-8 years now, it would be difficult).

If i dont change, what are the demerits?

Asking because everyone i see online playing gypsy jazz have their right hand complete in air.

Yeah the vast majority of GJ players play with the right hand floating and utilizing rest strokes for the most part. It allows you to pull the biggest/loudest sound from Selmer style guitars. If you're playing with an amp or using something other than a Selmer style guitar it doesn't matter quite as much.

[m_d]

That Yamaha was always well regarded I believe. High quality for a reasonable price. I really like how it looks. Biréli doesn't strike me as a gear snob but I don't think he would settle for a bad instrument. He's played quite a few Yamahas over the years, I wonder if he has an endorsement?

[m_d]

Hi guys,

I've been playing with a pick for a while and i have this tendency to rest my pinky finger (lightly) on guitar's body while soloing or playing arpeggios. Is my technique wrong? Should I change it? (I've been playing like this for over 7-8 years now, it would be difficult).

If i dont change, what are the demerits?

Asking because everyone i see online playing gypsy jazz have their right hand complete in air.

I wouldn't call it wrong, you're using a different anchor point that's all, and the one you're using is very common. I've seen quite a few gypsy guys not using the traditional floating wrist form, especially when an electric is involved.

Joscho Stephan all serious on acoustic - floating wrist, clear pinky contact nonetheless:

... and party time Joscho on electric: