Gypsy Jazz
Does anybody know why gypsy jazz guitar teachers teach impossible voicings?
All the great gypsy jazz guitarist from Django to the Rosenbergs use simple chords; three finger inversions and such because they must quickly move through progressions. The root notes can be implied, and are usually provided by the bassist anyway. So why do people like Romane and Stephane Wrembel insist on making us play chords requiring six fingers on the left hand?
I can think of two possibilities.
First: Jazz grips are traditionally filled with color tones, thus they often use very labor intensive voicing, i.e. four fingers., this is to maximize the depth of the progression. There is also the possibility that they are trying to replicate the full sound of multiple instrumentalists with just one instrument.
Second: They want to mystify the art of playing Gypsy Jazz so that it become something bigger than it is. It is stunning in the right hands, Django managed to floor the world with effectively 2 finger on his fretting hand. He therefore could not have ever played 6 fingered chords, he got by with simple two and sometimes 3 finger modified chords.
I agree that at the speeds that this form of jazz is played one can imply a great deal with very little. Also, the interplay between the two lead instruments outlines a great deal that is not overtly stated.
Super Mario Bros. 2 theme, gypsy-jazz style
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