Excellent resource

By: RKay on 05/17/2012 10:37:14 AM

I've learned a great deal in the short time I've had this book. The different styles of rhythm (which I was unaware of) were well explained, and helped me to focus on developing a personal style of my own. The cds make the numerous examples clear. I also like the various levels of the same tune; I can quickly get a basic knowledge of a tune under my fingers and be playing some real music while learning more advanced chord forms. Don't let the price deter you; there's a lot here for the money. Bottom line is, this book works if you do!

A Major Contribution

By: Allblues on 05/16/2012 12:09:44 AM

Gypsy Rhythm Volume 1 is a book of 280 pages, spiral bound, heavy and, at first sight, rather intimidating. If the sheer volume of the book does not impress you, the volume of audio materials certainly would : the book comes with three Cds. More of then not, a book of this size is often packed with superfluous and irrelevant materials all aimed at alluring you to buy it for its sheer size. But once in a while, and a long while at that, along comes something like Gypsy Rhythm Volume 1. This book has everything you need to know about Gypsy Jazz rhythm playing. It has a full chord library for the chords used in this genre of music and the book contains a detailed analysis of the use of these chords, the relevant chord progressions and how to get the essence of the rhythm going. You simply cannot go wrong with this book. You will rarely ever see a book that explains something so lucidly, so clearly, in such detail and with such articulation. The author Mr. Michael Horowitz anticipated most of the questions you will be asking and he already has the answers for you in the chapters of the book. Another highlight of this book is the transcription part. This part of the book contains the transcription of 8 Gypsy Jazz songs. But unlike most books, the transcriptions here are not simply transcription of a recorded version of the song. For each of the songs, the author sets out a basic version, a an intermediate and advanced version of the same song. Some songs even have a transcription for a modern version and a comping version. This is so important as it documents the evolution of the music in terms of voicing and chord changes over time. This helps not only in understand Gypsy Jazz but chord progressions and chord voicing in general. You cannot help but get inspired and you will obtain a good insight if you have the patience to go through the different versions of the transcription. Those who know little will always look to playing guitar solos to the exclusion of everything else. But it is the rhythm parts, the chord progression that provide the basis and foundation for the guitar solo. Knowing your chords and mastering the rhythm guitar is the key to playing great guitar solos. And Gypsy Rhythm Volume 1 is the book that will help you master it. And what is in the book applies not only to Gypsy Jazz; most of the materials therein have universal application. If you want to pick up a few flashy things to impress your friends and fans, this is not the book. But if you want to really understand Gypsy Jazz rhythm and rhythm guitar in general, this is the one book I will buy if I was allowed to buy only one book. Just one complaint : where is Gypsy Rhythm Volume 2 ? And Volume 3 ? Well, all is not lost. Mr. Horowitz tells me that Gypsy Rhythm Volume 2 should be available around early 2013. I just cannot wait.

Amazing.

By: Nyk on 05/11/2012 10:17:19 AM

I have barely begun to scratch the surface of this book but thus far it is amazing, I am looking forward to plowing through the different aspects of it. Thanks Michael!

Really nice book

By: jjp on 03/22/2012 05:39:56 PM

I'm loving this book. Been playing cowboy chords for 20 years or so. This book does a great job explaining basics of playing gypsy rhythm guitar. Being a bit of nerd, it helps to have things explained along with the music. Michael obviously put a lot of work into this volume and it shows. Top notch!

Fantastic!

By: AmmonB on 03/03/2012 12:05:13 PM

I received my copy of Gypsy Rhythm the other day and I'm already hard at work. Michael Horowitz has a very in depth and comprehensible way of explaining every step. The book's quality is outstanding. It is loaded with a vast assortment of information which will keep one busy for quite a long time. I am very impressed with Gypsy Rhythm Volume 1 and I am anxious for the arrival of Volume 2!

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.