Gypsy Jazz Secrets - What Scales To Use In Gypsy Jazz? - Gypsy Jazz Guitar Secrets
Вставка
- Опубліковано 13 кві 2014
- Want help from me and a cool community of guitarists?
Test Drive The New ‘Gypsy Jazz Transfusion Club’ For Free For 14-Days
► www.gypsyjazztransfusionclub.com
"Learn How To Play Gypsy Jazz Guitar"
In this series of video lessons I'm answering your questions about playing Gypsy Jazz Guitar.
This week I've got a question from Gary in California who asks,
"What are the most common scales used in Gypsy Jazz?"
I know this is a very common question from guys who are learning to improvise and in the video I give my honest answer and opinion. I actually only ever think of two types of scale 1. Major & 2. Minor. This might sound too easy and over simplistic but that is the way I think of scales in relation to the chord changes. Bottom line is I don't improvise using scales as you must remember scales are scales and always sound like scales - NOT music.
The other question I get a lot is "How do I make my scales sound like music?" Easy answer - Don't play scales!
What I do strongly recommend is learning each step of both a basic major and minor scale and learning the way it sounds. Think of each note of a scale as a color and hear/feel what it makes the music sound like. They are all different of course and you can choose the sound you want to create by using that step of the scale. If you burn up and down scales then it will sound like it. If you want to be creative and make music then use each note meaningfully.
Have fun and please let me know if you have a question you'd like me to answer for you.
Send your questions to - questions@GypsyJazzSecrets.com.
I love how you talk about 'feeling' the music rather than studying it's mechanics. That's what makes gypsy jazz especially beautiful to me! :)
it is so overlooked Pepijn! Have fun and let me know if you have any questions - cheers, Robin
French composer Claude Debussy said, “Music is the space between the notes.” 'nuff said!
Learn the intervals between the notes of the particular scale you are studying. It becomes so much easier to transpose a particular scale all over the finger board. Starting on any note, play the intervals and the scale is there.
you have to think in "arpegios"...the other notes of the scale are just connections and disconnections...once you think of music in arpegios the scales and added notes will just come up to your expression....i only think in scales when i need to play a fast lick that i want it to sound as a solid block, for example, to lead me to the next chord or to create tension in a funky riff
I love this! Same thing I teach my students- hear the basics first and keep it simple and musical!
Yes trying to keep it simple and musical Daniel! Robin
I agree. Two scales Major and Minor. If you don't understand how scales make chords, they will be of very little use to you. As he said, don't get too hung up on scales or modes. Learn all of your diatonic chords, triads and 7 chords. When you skip degrees of the scale you start to create harmonies/chords. 1 3 5 7 - 2 4 6 8 etc.. See how they fit into the scales and they'll make a lot more sense to you. BTW.. Your harmonic Minor puts a maj3rd on your IV chord. ie /B-7b5 E7/ A- 7 / You use the G# (raised 7nth) only on the E7 chord. On the A-7 you should still be using the flated 7 (G) Learn your triads, refer to them numerically and in a couple of months you'll be infuriated as to why no one ever explained them to you before.
Do you have any particular resource like a music book that was your favorite. You seem to be a good teacher. Im trying to advance my violin and baritone ukulele.
A very great lesson. Hear a particular note and understand the color and mood that the notes convey over the chords. This has to be experienced by the player.
+John Rothfield that's right John. For me I try to identify with the sounds instead of the name - cheers! Robin
Everyone whoes hated this lesson has not got the basic point of the lesson it's about feeling the notes and basic fundamental element of this style of music...Give the guy a break... He's been kind enough 2 put the time in 2 show people...Also 80% or more of your body heat is lost through la tete. Maybe it was cold in the studio? Thankyou Robin 4 a cohesive introductory lesson...George Benson has a similar approach...Music is meant 2 be pleasurable !!!
Spot on advice and great talent for not only playing great music, but explaining thr fundamentals in a clear an concise way. Fabulous!
Thanks John this video was a few years ago many new ones too now on my channel 🙏💕🎸 Appreciate your comment! Robin
I cannot but agree. When I started to play solos using notes in my head (simply sounds) using scales only to hit the right note on the fretboard.. it made a big change. It's of course far far from the heroes but it started to sound like stories, not scales.
Totally Jakob. Follow ur ears! 😃Robin
Been playing jazz & bluegrass for years and just topping up my basics like I do every now and again. Great videos, currently going nuts with my harmonic minors on my dobro & weissenborn... though can’t really do la pompe on them
Thomas Graham glad the lessons help! Robin
I love this guys voice
Ellis Delk ahhh thanks! Robin
It's better at 1.25x speed
This channel is great! Awesome lesson
A lot of thanks man! Really! I'm not really in gypsy, i can't play it but i love how it sounds and your tips helped me generally to put my thoughts in order! I think your tips are useful for many other music styles! Regards from Greece!
RIght on! I had to correct another video that implied that you could play Gypsy Jazz by doodling through a whole song with one scale, rather than thinking about the arpeggio of the chord (or better still an extension of the chord). I disagree with those that think you talked too much. They would be suckers for "Guitar Teachers don't want you to know this weird simple trick" type links. This is a really good lesson.
Thanks John.. I make all the vids on this Chanel to help people with how it's worked for me... main thing: Stay Inspired! 😃 Robin
Thank you, this was inspiring!
great lesson! the intervals and the feelings can make avery note of the scale is so important, and understand that we can use a extra notes is the key!
Thank you stay Inspired!
That is the best explanation of how scale notes are colours I have heard. You have shown a good way to learn to use them gradually and effectively. Thanks.
dingoswamphead great man 😃 Robin
Thanks for this. So helpful.
Glad it helps Sam this was a few years ago lots of recent videos with good info too on channel. Stay inspired! Robin
Love this relaxed conversational teaching style. As a music teacher myself I love this informal approach.
Cheers Seph - all the best for your teaching and students...😃 Robin
That's just great. I'm just starting to explore Gypsy jazz. A total beginner. Always loved it. Thanks so much.
Cheers Tom stay inspired! Lot's of useful lessons on the channel. 😃 Robin
This is so cool, also very helpful 👍🏻
Thanks Robbie glad it helps! There’s lots of new lessons on the channel since that one so have a look around. I’m also here to help cheers, Robin
I think this is one of your best lessons Robin. Learning how the scale notes sound. Thanks.
This is the method used to teach Indian sitar music.
Excellent advise, Thank you very much.
Still remember your show in Vancouver 2009, Gastown,,,thanks for the lesson today!!
Yeah Norm Vancouver is always a hoot! Cheers - Robin😃
Watching this just after discovering Django Reinhardt for myself. I love this style and I think I'll ask my teachers to help me on this stuff. Sounds beautiful
+Griffin Keeffe yeah I discovered him years ago through my father and have been hooked ever since! I'll be posting weekly video lessons and if you have any questions just shout out questions@gypsyjazzsecrets.com - also the digital magazine Gypsy Jazz Secrets is a great place to learn and enjoy this music: www.gypsyjazzsecrets.com - cheers - Robin
@@GypsyJazzSecrets not so serious ..............
Great advice!
keep it up ! I really enjoy your class
thanks Mohammed all the best! Robin
fantastic man!!! this is really great, i have work to do! haha
Great advice.
thx a lot for your advice it was very helpful !
Fair play Jason Hendrixs I don't learn from Robin but what i know is that at the moment he s well thought of as a SAVAGE !!! guitarist in the gypsy guitar World !!!
Rock till dawn !
great lesson on understanding the value of a note. thx
yes it's good to get to know each note individually! Robin
I believe that the scale most commonly used in Gypsy Jazz are the diminished and half diminished scales. I really don’t think they play a lot with major scales.
There is a lot of diminished used over Dominant 7 chords. I try to keep things simple - Major or Minor - but know where to use them. Cheers Thomas! Robin
I agree and disagree with you. I completely agree, that shredding up and down the scales is sports but not music. You start to create music, once you know how a note sounds in the context of a chord. And you have to know, this sound you create *before* you hear ist. If you can do this: You are not shredding but somehow 'singing' your guitar.
How do you get to the point, where you can do this? My answer ist: Scales can be helpful to reach this point. A scale limits the notes you choose your melody from. A scale may help avoiding 'wrong' notes.
So learning a scale is not bad. But: A scale is an easy thing to learn. You can messure your progress by playing the scale faster and faster. This is bad. Because you have to learn each note of the scale and understand its function within the chord. (Like it has been perfectly explained here in thie video).
So my advice is: Get a scale and learn it. But be aware that the scale itself is just a helper for you to pic the right notes. Next: Learn the notes, learn to remember the sound, learn to remember the feeling of a 9th or a maj7 in the context of a major or minor chord.
Because *this* will separate the musician from the shreader.
(Hope my english is undersandable).
Thanks for the great Video.
well said I completely agree... I just wanted to take a different viewpoint and try to hear the character of each note in this video. All the best! Robin
wow - a personal answer to my comment. Thanks.
haha always! Robin
Good advice. Arpeggios with the extensions are the best practice.
DEREINZIGEHORST how can there be a “wrong” note?
very good teacher!
perhaps one of best lessons on guitar , thanks!
Merci, its good to hear a different approach
+andy T thanks Andy - you can learn from everyone! - cheers - Robin
Good solid advice.
cheers John - lot's of new videos on my channel now to check out! cheers - Robin
Great advice 👍🍷
Robin makes so much sense, an epiphany
ah good Gerald 😃Robin
I really liked what you said about understanding the mood and the feel rather than thinking of all the theoretical stuff, i kind of have always done that and it works best for me, you are the first person i hear saying this.
+Boucherit safouane haha yes it's all about the mood and feel - we are human beings not robots - we have feelings and we express them with music! - cheers - Robin
Well said ! haha cheers !
From my point of view he is right. Scales can be used for analyzing material in hindsight and but not for getting you forward in improvisation.
At least here is one rule that works (however not a scale): When the chords are at a dominant major 7 chord you can play a diminished arpeggio starting at the 3 of the dominat 7 chord. This works very well in all pieces in minor keys.
4:33 that is definitely how spongebob's ending theme starts.
Fuc*ing yeah! Clear and clever!
Cheers Luca! 😀🤘
What a lovely view and advice on scales. I spend way too much time procrastinating over scales and think that scales are the all important but like you say, a lot of the time they just sound like scales. However, your input has changed my view on scales and how to apply them.Thank you so much. Love your lessons by the way. Peace
That's awesome mate stay inspired! 😃 Robin
I don't even learn scales...I make them up as I go along!
I gotta have that hat bro ! Pure Gypsy
😅
ok I developed a new way to go about with scales... insightful! merci beaucoup
awesome Tiken - stay inspired and let me know if you have any questions I can help with - cheers! Robin
Hey thanks. Helpful
Stay inspired mate 😃 Robin
Hi Robin,
I haven't been trying to play gypsy jazz, but I always have been a big fan of it. Thank you for this simple but great explanation. I lot of people I feel are putting a lot of emphasis on what they play rather how they play. Scales are important but how you play them its what defines the sound and the feel of certain music I believe. Could you please make a video for us where you might teach us an actual gypsy jazz song, something that people like me could get introduced into. I know improvisation is certainly predominant in gypsy jazz but I'm sure there are written songs you might know and could share with us. Thanks again.
Dimo
hi Dimo - for sure. I'll post a tune lesson here - be sure to check out the Gypsy Jazz Guitar secrets magazine which has lot's of lessons including gypsy jazz songs from the repertoire. cheers R
Great, I definetly will. All the best.
Thank you
nice Robin!!!
Cheers Arnout! 😀Robin
Robin, I absolutely love the rich sound of your guitar! Are you using any effect pedal?
Also, your lessons are enjoyable! Keep it up! :)
thanks Dave, no effect pedal! Let me know if you have any questions I can help you with - all the best! Robin
wow... great! :)
I can't get enough Jazz Music. I was a big fan of Negative Guitar Jazz. I think I accidentally invented Gypsy Scales for Bass Lines again. I assure you that really works. I enjoyed the Video.
Rock Icon cheers mate! 😃 Robin
I've written 1 gypsy jazz song and it just happens to be in the key of G and I always find my limitations when trying to improvise over it. I truly believe this tutorial could be a major (if not minor) break through!
Perfect and congrats on your tune!
Great video, really getting into hearing tones against chords, and getting to know the sound of each scale degree. One thing that's been bugging me - say you hear the 6th over the I chord, Gmaj, if the progression then goes to IV, Cmaj, do you still hear it as the 6th of the key center or do you now hear it as the third? Basically, do you hear/think in the key center, or against each chord? Thanks, very much.
very nice
Thx Fabio stay inspired! Robin
The best for playing gypsy are arpeggios and catches between the notes of 2 arpeggios, that is the most important thing for playing every kind of jazz
Sounds great thanks! 😃Robin
Magnificent
Thank you! Have a look at the new videos they are very useful 🙏🎸💕
great idea to take a step back reduce and concentrate on melody! but it would be very helpful to learn more about the different minor scales and where/when to use them? melodic, dorian, harmonic..... ??
After playing for years and learning scales it has become apprent you spend more time memorizing the notes on the fretboard and then learn the spelling of each chord. If you understand the notes of every chord and where they are on the fretboard you can save so much time learning a million scales.
Absolutely Nick 😃 Robin
Merci
+Diogo Tabah de rien!
Subscribed.
Stay inspired Jonah 😃
Great lesson, great advice, very helpful. Amazing that it gets any down votes.
Abe Hanson thanks Abe 🎸❤️Robin
I think you really get to the essence of it here, Robin. Picking out and using the "good notes" is a bit of a lifelong quest, though. Two excellent examples I have enjoyed working with are your suggested solos Swing Gitane 1 and For Sephora 1 in the Essential Gypsy Guitar Licks Book 2 - they sound great and are not too hard to execute.
great to hear Bill glad it's working for you - cheers - Robin
Cool
Welcome man check the new vids too! 💕🎸🙏Robin
Hi there, can you do a video on jazz chord shapes and how they link together? There seems to be a lot of substitutions and chromaticism when jazzers play progressions. Thank you!
Oheh84 good idea mate... check my channel for more useful lessons too. Cheers! Robin
can you make a video about the best jazz chord proggresion?
pls
A really good video ! I've understand about playing Major over Major chord & minor over minor chord (and add the "flava" note when I want) but over dominant chord what can I play ? Thanks Robin.
Freddy96 ahh so many wAys but try a diminished arpeggio starting a fret above the chord u play over. So for D7 use D# dim.. cheers! Robin
Robin, what about bass in gypsy jazz?, anyone you can recommend us to hear?
Muchas gracias. Excelentes trucos. Deberías ser el presidente de tu país 😀
Madays Andino 🎸❤️
I notice on some gypsy jazz guitars that there are loads of overtones. I guess it's in the hands to eliminate them. I wonder if the tops are super thin which cause the sympathetic sounds . I use a small string damper which takes care of most of the overtones. The strings aren't muted, just dampened. I tried a violin sound post inside the body, but that didn't work, so I wound up using the damper.
Arkansas Red yes pretty thin tops which give volume , cheers! Robin
What I do with my students is show them what happens when I play g major scale with g as the tonal center. Then when I have them play an e minor chord while still play d major scale, their eyes bug out!!!
Really it’s just one scale. It’s what Robin said... the major scale. The minor scales are also used more than anything else, and they are the relative scale anyway.
Don’t think scales, think chords/arpeggios.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts Robin.
thanks for the comment Keith... I like to try and keep things simple! all the best! Robin
Hi , I am interested in purchasing a gypsy Jazz guitar. I am beginning. I do know a lot of my jazz positions. What would you recommend for beginning .. I love this music
+John Zagmester hi John - if you don't want to spend a lot of money then Saga Music do a good range of guitars incuding the Cigano and Gitane. If you want real quality then I can recommend JWC and Leo Eimers guitars. Let me know how you go cheers - Robin
hey txh for great educatinal videos. i have question;
fx. i wanna make a song in e harmonic minor. do i need to make all chords around e f# g a b c d#? what if i want to add dm7 chord to chord progression? can i make this? if i can i made song like x chord x chord dm7 x chord in e harmonic minor. when i soloing over song under all correct chords for correct scalet and when dm7 no scale. is this can be possible?. sorry for my bad english..
+mete han draw a full neck diagram of all the notes in the harmonic minor scale, and explore it for chord shapes that you like the sound of. Also see what variations of chords you already know, will fit in that pattern
Should've done a demo at the end so I know what other things would work. Demos are great for giving inspiration. I know nothing about gypsy jazz playing wise so it would've been helpful.
+TheSamuraiApocalypse cool thanks for the feedback - will be sure to demo next time on this topic - cheers, Robin
+TheSamuraiApocalypse he has written a whole book; let him make some money for his effort and go buy it
I have always played traditional Jazz. I use all the scales all the modes and think In chords or Chord tones as well. All have value. I am just starting to look at Gypsy Jazz and It would appear that the chord seemed to get outlined a lot more. I dunno I just started trying to learn this stuff but so far I hear chord Tones enclosed around a chord. Is that more common? BTW Ty for the help !!!
Yes you can start by outlining the triads of each chord and adding Neighbour notes (enclosures) stay inspired! Robin
Sir, I want to ask about "Lagrima Francisco Tarrega" what is this thing, is it scales or chords...here on youtube people playing this Lagrima and all of them keep changing their left hand position frequently .... what are these patterns...
I found your channel so knowledgeable
please reply
so spongebob's ost is gypsy jazz?? awesome!!
@Gypsy Jazz secrets. Dude, you rock. Now play with 2 fingers ha ha just kidding not I do the Django technique when I become too repetitive. Seriously please give me the guitar in the video. I'll give you and address. I might even pay shipping. Thank you. (You actually understand Django better than anyone but myself). Kidding! I mean it. You get it.
Dennis Mason have fun mate! 🎸❤️Robin
Hi. what song is it from at 4.10? I would like to learn that. Also, could you recommend some beginner songs in Gypsy Jazz? Thank you for your time
Beekeeper Simes hey man - I was referring to 'The Third Man' theme song - I don't actually plY or teach it but the best place to get started w the gypsy jazz repertoire is my Songbook System V1. U can find out about it here: www.robinnolanteaches.com all the best and let me know if u have any questions... cheers, Robin
What pick are you using with nylon strings, and how long do the strings last?
brandex2011 these are not nylon strings but kind steel.. Argentine is the brand.. I use Dunlop 1.5mm picks- cheers! 😃 Robin
Robin....what model guitar are you using? Thanks
This is a Leo Eimers guitar but I now play and endorse my signature models from Polak Gypsy Guitars see more recent vids vids 🙌🎸❤️
hey Robin, thanks! i can understand the flavour choices when you have for example a C major chord and you choose notes from the scale, the challenge for me is the speed in wich the context/background/harmony is changing, when i can imaging how the C scale notes sound on the C chord, but when the next chord is changing to E7 as in your example, the C note now changed his flavour from the 1th to the 6th flat of this new chord. and making this kinda connection seems overwehlming to me. espiacaly when you have so many chords in such a changing speed. any advices? thnks again, great vids!
Hi Roy - The best advice I can give is to 'chunk it down' isolate the chord change you have a hard time outlining when soloing and loop it over and over again. For example 'All Of Me' 2 bars C major then 2 bars E7. Loop that and practice weaving your lines to spell the C and the E7. Then move on to the A7. You need to spend the time and use your ear to guide you - Let me know how you go! cheers - Robin
thanks! will do :)
There are two types of musicians; those who play from the heart, and those who circle-jerk over technicality and theory. Which do you think Django was?
this is a moot point lmao
What's with the downstrokes on the lead lines?
Nice lesson, good point's! but i just don't get what it has to do with gipsy music...
it's just about scale degrees (knowing the steps) and what sound they produce. This is usefull but that's general info on music theory an solfege. But after all it is really(!!) NOT a secret, let alone a gipsy jazz secret. Very strange and confusing title! (or i am just really getting something wrong here??)
while I think this is a really good approach, I also think it's useful to name the scales eg about 6:10 the minor scale is actually harmonic minor. also melodic minor is a very important one to know but analyse it in the way Robin says.
+mrbtapir yes thanks for pointing that out - we can all learn in lot's of different ways. Personally I don't think in scales but it is helpful to many students - keep swinging and stay inspired cheers! - Robin
+Gypsy Jazz Secrets ah see I'm nerdy so I like learning all the names and intervals and stuff :-)
Here's another view on the same thing from one of the most respected guitarists in the hairy world:m.ua-cam.com/video/LVIEzeD0MqE/v-deo.html
The essential message is the same: don't obsess about learning scales (/modes) at the expense of understanding how the different notes work in different musical contexts. Comments about Robin not answering the question haven't understood his answer.
How did you record the audio for this video?
Tiziano Isoc camera mic
is it a selmer mcaferri or a manner /!!!!????
What guitar is that? It uses nylon strigs? Awesome channel btw!
Álvaro Rojas it's made by Leo Eimers a Dutch builder. The strings are not nylon but steel made by Savarez and called Argentine. There are many guitars made in this style now like Saga Gitane.. let me know if u need more info and pick up your guitar and start playing! 😃 Robin
Álvaro Rojas here's a gypsy jazz crash course www.gypsyjazzguitarlessonsweekly.com/10-minute-gypsy-jazz-crash-course-download
Okay so you start at a root note and count up 1-2-3 etc up the do-re-mi scale to find your 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths etc? Amirite?
Yes that's it... 9th is just the same as 2nd an octave up.... cheers! 😃Robin
Hi Robin, So say I want to solo or make up a melody. In the I chord, do I use any note in the scale plus any note in the I chord, then for the IV chord, any note in the scale plus any note in the IV chord, and so on?
When u begin to learn to solo over a chord or chord changes u practice the skill of picking notes which sound good over each chord..this simplistically is the 1-3-5-7-9 notes... try doing this in just 1 chord until u hear how it sounds... then ad another chord from a tune u want to learn to solo over. If that was 'All Of Me' then the chords u practice over will be Cmaj & E7. Take it slowly and let me know how u go.. Robin
Okay then say we're in a minor key. So then the notes could potentially be notes other than the notes of the chord or notes of the scale?
what notes does a 6th scale contain ?
hey Scott - don't think that exists but what I was meaning is the sound of the 6th note in the scale played over a major or minor chord. It's a charming note! So in C major it's the note A. And in C minor the same - A. Let me know if you have any other questions cheers - Robin
What about Dominant 7 chord? Which scale sounds good for this style of music?
+Filip Pandrc Use your ears. What sounds good to him might sound like crap to you.
+Filip Pandrc Just think about what notes are in the chord. A major scale with a flat 7 (mixo) would be good but you can colour it however you like. Important not to change the chord tones however because then your fighting with the progression which most people only do arbitrarily-if they run out of ideas.
+Filip Pandrc over a dominant 7th you can add the 9th, 11th or 13th and their altered forms. Maybe think arpeggio rather than scale. Also you can make a pattern by approaching each note in the chord from a semitone below, and also knowing where the next note (in key) above each chord note is. This approach is sometimes called neighbouring notes.
dominant diminished scale, "harmonic fifth" scale(harmonic minor built on fifth), diminished arpeggios on IIb, III, V, VII.
i didn't know rob lowe played gypsy jazz
Not sure if that's a good thing or not? 😃
Gypsy Jazz Secrets haha its definitely a positive
+Isaac Wimmer phew!
What kind of guitar is he using? like brand?
hi Adam - It's a Leo Eimers guitar www.eimersguitars.nl
cheers - Robin
You can't afford it...lol!!
Buenas tardes: Podrías poner subtítulos a los vídeos para poder entenderlo perfectamente.
Gracias
jaquemateu vale voy a ver si puedo, Robin
ohm uh
What type of guitar is this ?
+Cobjawz21 this guitar was made by Leo Eimers eimersguitars.com
there are lot's of luthiers and companies making Selmac type gypsy jazz guitars nowadays - cheers - Robin
Or just forget scales and make it up as you go
This works!