Start Here...

By: DanielSmyth on 08/29/2011 04:14:39 PM

Pros: Everything you need for swing rhythm guitar in the gypsy style!

Cons: Shipping costs to UK (but this is a minor con)

Whether you're new to the guitar or just new to the style, Gypsy Rhythm is the start of a very long but sure-footed path (to stick with the analogy given in my review of "Gypsy Picking"). Using the open string exercises in Gypsy Picking to warm up and lock in the correct way of holding the pick and picking, I then move onto this book each day to really focus on the ryhthm guitar. I firmly believe that a strong grounding on rhythm and harmonic techniques will hugely benefit me when I finally move onto lead since the arpeggio based solo work is heavily dependant on harmonic knowledge (I do not class this the same as theoretical knowledge btw!). Also, by creating an mp3 playlist from the trad la pompe exercises and basic songs from the CDs, followed by the original tracks from records, I have a great "play-along" method developed which I can add to/ change as I improve and work through various sections of the book (although this isn't a method book, once you have the basic technique down you can work through the remainder of the volume and apply the harmonic/ technical examples to the songs you have already learnt. The extensive chord dictionary also gives you a lot of options to work from when you begin transcribing other songs to add to your rep. Don't rush into solo work, it is well worth buying this volume. No point learning to decorate a cake until you know how to bake a simple sponge!

Great Book

By: GJFAN on 07/17/2011 11:43:48 AM

Great Book. If you want to play gypsy rhythm this is the book you need. It is quite a work coming in at close to 300 pages and 3 cd's worth of recorded material. It really has improved my rhythm playing and will keep me busy for a long time.

Gypsy Rhythm

By: Dean on 07/07/2011 07:28:30 AM

Pros: read review

Cons: DVD would help

This is a very comprehensive text on this style of playing. Would have liked to have seen more use of traditional notation for my taste.I realize that in today's world of tabs this is done to make guitar material more appealing to non readers. In addition i believe a demo DVD would have help to clarify the techniques presented. I also would have liked to have seen some examples of the exercises not requiring the thumb. There are many of use (which you mentioned in the text) that cannot use the thumb in all cases due to hand size..pianists also have these issues. I have really enjoyed working with this text and have already begun to use it in my on playing and will use it with my students as well.

Extraordinary

By: Dan on 04/25/2011 03:00:41 PM

This is really a great book, filled with lots of detail about the fine points of nearly everything around the topic. More than once I found myself saying 'Ah, so THAT's how its done ....' The chapters on chord voicings and the material about the right placement of accents is invaluable. The transcriptions are very useful too. The running commentary on the history of the subject and the variations from one style to another is a great pedagogical tool and make the volume a great reference work too. While the book is a bit more expensive than others, it is also really well produced - good heavy paper, strong spiral binding and very readable print. The extra money is worth it. This book is a real treat. I hope there's a second volume soon (( I hope I haven't missed it already), as announced in the preface.