Another masterclass from the Master Robin Nolan, and this is a lesson that should be amongst the first things that every guitar player learns, which is to learn the sound of the scales which is like the steps of a ladder. These steps can start at any point on the fingerboard and knowing where to place the next note or step is the beginning of the study of improvisation, which is what makes every guitar player unique. The great Bill Evans was renowned for his beautiful simple approach to this artform, and he has inspired many musicians in the same way that Robin shows how to simplify our approach by using one scale to cover every key, and every tune. Thanks Robin, even the best players can learn from this lesson.
Great insights and advice, thanks Anthony. Bill Evans was just as generous as Robin in sharing the skills needed for improvisation. That afternoon of his at the Village Vanguard is one of the greatest sessions ever.
oh ok... he means every chord in THAT scale & key . i thought , at 1st , that he meant : literally EVERY chord (that is the word used) , like augmented , diminished , altered etc. This is an awesome you tube site !!
This is just crazy useful and readily available to apply to so many improv ideas. One of those "aha" "eureka" moments where you discover something you already know is now so applicable in so many places. I real eye-opener. Thanks, Robin
I just wanted to add that I would love to see a video on the same approach applied to the Melodic Minor and the Harmonic Minor Scales. It would really be great to see this applied to the BeBop, Blues and Pentatonic Scales as well, but I'll do that on my own. It's like a whole system of the theory of Melody which the classicist haven't seemed to be able to provide us with.
Yes there’s a few vids on this channel which will interest you, the latest is a simplistic approach to using the Blues Scale ‘Django’ style have a look here and please leave a comment thank you! th-cam.com/video/oXm-DJGIwKA/w-d-xo.html
I sometimes wonder how many "former" metal players such as you Robin can make the transition to, not only playing Gypsy jazz, but play it as proficiently as you. Your chops are simply outstanding! Wow. Thank you Robin for all you do. Whenever I feel kind of sucky about my playing, I can always go to you for some inspiration. Thank you agent Nolan.
Steve Douglas agent Nolan at your service Steve, always here to inspire. I often have those same feelings but play play play and focus on getting good at fewer things, tunes, Licks, ideas etc. cheers! Robin
Great lesson, love how it reaffirms modal theory. Im a harmonica player not a guitarist but I just apply this stuff to my harp. Don't forget that the key center of C major changes to reflect the root of the chord change, for example, when you play over Em, your home key changes to E.
I'm new to the gypsy genre, although I've been playing guitar on and off for years. I've never got as good as I could or should be. However, these tutorials are an inspiration and this one in particular. I shall be incorporating this exercise immediately! Thanks Robin. 👍👍
I found that in-between the mode examples if you play some gibberish out of key stuff it will clear your ear of the parent key. This helps to make each example sound more modal and not all like its C major. Try it.
This feels like it may be the most important lesson I’ve ever watched, and it’s certainly inspired me to knuckle down to some serious practice. Time to get that looper pedal out, I think.
@@GypsyJazzSecrets Funny that way...I've had lessons in person with two different people (I move around a lot) but it's watching your short vids over and over that make it all make sense.
Great job illustrating the flavor of the Major scale over the Diatonic chords from C Major. A suggestion for next time might be to illustrate how each note found in each chord (ie, the arpeggio) emphasizes specific sounds and that was why your solos were so on point! Thanks Robin!
Hi Sensei, Logical, simple, no headache. You are No.1 Sensei. Your guitar makes today happier. I am practicing this lesson with my old Epiphone. Thanks tons. Take good care. Masaki❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
It is amazingly simple but you can get such great sounds with a major chord. You can obviously learn many exotic scales and have it all under your fingers but sometimes simple is best.
Awesome! I love your way of teaching spark and simple pure passion. Thank you! Will check this 14 days free. Maybe you have a vid about playing over all those chords one after another?
Nice one, Robin... a brilliantly played, understated introduction to modes. I wish I'd discovered you and your teaching style earlier on this jazz journey of mine - it would have saved me years of thrashing about not knowing which way is up :-) The only thing I would add, perhaps, is to suggest a lesson in which you extend the C Scale idea to any scale using the 5 regions of the fretboard as a platform for playing in any key. Best wishes, Davey McC
Crystal clear as always Rob. You’re the best in the gj teaching bizz. Don’t let Hank B. define your accent though, but just tell him we miss him at our yearly French do.
@@GypsyJazzSecrets on the one hand playing tracks and sending the Magix files to and fro a fellow collaborator to get some tunes together. On the other jamming live with fellow musicians in the States or Oz or wherever through the JamKazam.com App. Obviously playing a lot alongside your and others vids.
Thanks for showing a simpler way to think modally. It is useful, interesting and fun to go back to the beginning of the clip and see how you are using the scale on Honeysuckle Rose. Hope the shack fever is not too bad for you all - is that why you are often being sent to the back garden?
dingoswamphead yes you know me... simplicity is the name of the game. Even complex modes can be seen clearly if you stick to the parent scale C Major. We are living tightly here and no back garden but still harmonious at this point! Robin
This has to be the most overlooked (yet the most important) concept in music theory. Thanks Robin! Also, what a GREAT way to improve your ear while playing!!
I'm a blues player that things are pretty limited when playing Blues so I'm about to start doing a little bit of fusion plan I'm trying to look for elements from different entrance of music to add into my Blues playing to make me stand out
perfect Michael start using some of these ideas and concepts and let me know how it goes for you...there's lots of useful short videos here on the channel too. Robin
I found that when I played it a lot and also took time to draw it on a neck graph over and over so I could actually draw it without a guitar in hand BOOM I knew it
This is a massive lesson thank you! I’m hearing some really jazzy sounds when played over some of those chords, are you using the root of the chord you are playing over as a Root note for your runs? what I need to help me develop 🙏 don’t know what I’d do without your TH-cam lessons and the beginners book you wrote you are a fab teacher.
This was great Robin! Thanks so much. This tutorial of yours fit it perfectly with my private lessons here in Ithaca, NY were my teacher just introduced me to the harmonized chord scale- which you were using here. I've not seen the harmonized chord scale mentioned in any of the gypsy jazz courses from any of the popular guitarists- on line or at camps like Django in June etc. So this was a nice support.
Brian Keeler perfect Brian! I’m always trying to simplify what can get complicated. Nothing simpler than the good old c major scale. Thanks for your comment it means a lot. Robin
Hi, Robin. Although the use of such a scale is pretty cool, the most challenging thing for me is still to create a phrase that sounds more jazzy during the execution. Thanks a lot for the video. You're the man !
Alexandre Costacurta yes this could be something I can look at in another lesson. I suggest leaving space and breathing as a way to start with phrasing. All the best! Robin
Thanks so much for this knowledge! It's a brilliant way of explaining it! I'd been tripping over it for years, but was afraid of playing it over other chords.
Robin, Greetings from Long Beach CA. I had just invested in a looper and, being a Luddite, I haven't quite gotten accustomed to its use. This edition is just the thing I was looking forward to trying out and here it is, modes in disguise, Great lesson! Thank you so much.
Robin I love your videos man! Can you do a video on how to unlock the ear? I mean, how to get the ideas in the mind out on the guitar. If that makes sense. Thank you and love from Scotland.
Gypsy Jazz Secrets thank you Robin, I know it’s a difficult concept but I think it’s so important. I know piles of scales and arpeggios but I want to harness my ear a lot more. I see that as the ultimate goal for improvisation. Thank you so much again amigo.
Amazing lesson!! INCREDIBLE playing!! You make the C Major scale sound magical and exotic!!! Damn, bruh!! My guitar must not have some of those notes. Do the extra notes cost more? Should I upgrade? Are you using a special pick?? Why can't I make my guitar sound like that? Do i need a bigger purple shirt? Please help!
I have been playing around with the idea of keeping to just Cma in Minor Swing. It works across the whole tune! It sounds OK but boring against Ami, a bit spacey and Santana-like against the D minor, and sort of works even against the E7. Another approach which makes me sound far more skilful than I deserve is to play Cma against the Ami and Dmi, and then venture dangerously into A harmonic minor for the E7 bit. Or A harmonic minor sounds cool all the time. Perhaps I belong in a thread called Gypsy Jazz for Dummies. One more serious advantage of this approach is that I can think more about what to do rhythmically rather than succumb to the pressure of churning out 8th notes all the time.
dingoswamphead yes that is the goal so we clean be confident with the harmony to free up our phrasing. Keep experimenting and using your ear... your description of the Santana like sound is accurate! Robin
Gypsy Jazz Secrets I’ve just recorded myself play four bars of each chord, then played over them using the C scale. Why do your licks always sound so great, whereas mine sound like someone who hasn’t a clue? 😂😂😂👍
What is the pickup on your guitar? I'd like to put a nice pickup on my Gypsy guitar, but don't know what is the best one. This sounds good. Of course a lot has to do with amp settings. Thanks.
Hi Robin. As I mentioned below, another great video - thanks! I'm just getting into Gypsy Jazz (having played everything else such as blues, bluegrass and recently, a little jazz) so I'm working out the basics. I'll probably join your online club once I get a little better. In the meantime, a very quick question: I see in this video you have a pickup fitted but I see elsewhere that it's standard to use nylon strings on the Gypsy Jazz guitar. Could you please illuminate? Are you using steel srings here (with a standard electromagnetic pickup) or something else? Many thanks in advance! 🙂
It’s a Humbucker pickup fitted on my Polak Gypsy Guitar. Steel strings are used on these guitars kind of like silk and steel. We have a Beginners Pathway in the club that will take you step by step through the most important chords arpeggios and tunes in Gypsy Jazz - we would love to see you in the club!
Great stuff. A friend turned me on to you. Question of you have an opportunity to reply; So does this work only when you are in the key of C? Also I'm assuming the same holds true if you id say a D scale and then went through the chords in the key of D. Is that true? Thanks for this.
Mario Giacalone yes absolutely Mario this concept is true for all keys. My advice is to really understand it in C first and then try in other guitar keys like D, G, E. Thanks for the comment. 🎸❤️Robin
I think this is a brilliant presentation, one which sets aside that idea that one needs to know "modes" to play well. I know other teachers who use this type of scale idea for improvising. I was disappointed though that in this lesson you didn't demonstrate the idea against an actual tune. While it can work perfectly over rhythm change tunes in C, it requires a little extra thought when applying it over tunes with dom7 chords in it, like All of Me, which introduce an occasional # here and there. Maybe in Part II of this lesson? :-) LOL
Thanks fir the kind words Carl. I’ve been demonstrating this approach inside the Gypsy Jazz Club often. You should come and take a look sometime. I’m also able to give private coaching that helps a lot if the guys. But yes it’s all about applying these things to actual tunes! Robin
wow what a tasty opening jam, i could hear it but i could feel it even more, great playing! i think you have achieved a lyrical, very lyrical and recognisable personal style. the holy grail really. lyrical /ˈlɪrɪk(ə)l/ Learn to pronounce adjective 1. (of literature, art, or music) expressing the writer's emotions in an imaginative and beautiful way. "he gained a devoted following for his lyrical playing"
musterionsurly thanks that means a lot. Indeed being lyrical and personal style is something we should all strive for. I appreciate your comment thank you! Robin
This is great, thanks. When you were talking about familiarity, and the scale tones, how come you refer automatically to D as the ninth of C rather than the second? I ask because I’m still in the fundamental place of trying to imprint chords scales and arpeggios in my head, and be aware of what fits where, and I can definitely still only count to 7 at this stage in my scale thinking.
Hey Chris - I say 9th cause the D is an extension beyond the octave and in a chord sounds awful played as. 2nd next to root. Just think of the D as the 9th. Take it slow!
@@GypsyJazzSecrets Thank you so much, your generosity with knowledge is a true gift into my life. I love your book Beginner Gypsy Guitar, I sincerely appreciate it and really enjoy your work and teaching!
I've been watching these tutorials on Modes (like Rickey Cominsky's) and it seems to me that what you are presenting is a Romani "back door" approach. So you are playing the so called "Church Modes" but starting on the same note every time, which is the Root of Ionian, then the 7th of Dorian, then the 6th of Phrygian, then the 5th of Lydian, then the 4th of MixoLydian, then the 3rd of Aeolian, then the 2nd of Locrian. I play Jazz Violin and have done 4 transcriptions of Stephane Grappelli (which are available on Muse Score) and Steph, it seems to me, didn't really begin to express these concepts until the late 50's, when his playing just went to another level. Did it take him ten years to internalize this Concept? and then combine it with the Bebop language he seems to have absorbed through the piano playing of Bud Powell? I read in a Phd Thesis that Charlie Christian got wind of Django through his association with Bob Will's and the Texas Playboys and then went to New York and started BeBop with Thelonious Monk, who also seems to have absorbed these same concepts, not Melodiacally, but more on a Chromatic approach to harmonization. It Seems to me that it all goes back to Django and the Romani approach to music. Thanks!
Thank you for the great lesson, Robin! So if you have a tune that’s in the key of C, this is a no brainer; however what if the song is in the key of Gm? Could you apply this idea to any chord that falls into the CMaj family throughout the progression?
@@Matthew-pf9mj D Major all the way try it! Of course this is a very simplistic approach and there are chord changes that should be outlined in your lines but Manoir hangs a lot on D making it easy to solo over using D Major ideas.
J Larranaga you can essentially use this C Major scale over any of the chords in the C major family. So Dm7 G7 C you could play C over that progression. It’s a good place to start. Cheers! Robin
@@GypsyJazzSecrets does anything depend on the function of the chord in question.For example say the Fmaj and Fmin in j'attendrai ------ will the use of C scale fit the progression? I guess so cause the tonic is C, but say in a tune where the Tonic is unrelated to C ---- does the math still add up?
@@GypsyJazzSecrets indeed. And you do it well… it was a confusing thing is all, to here so often “the” instead of “a”. I’m out of the confusion…so I certainly won’t belabor an accepted nomenclature..
Another masterclass from the Master Robin Nolan, and this is a lesson that should be amongst the first things that every guitar player learns, which is to learn the sound of the scales which is like the steps of a ladder. These steps can start at any point on the fingerboard and knowing where to place the next note or step is the beginning of the study of improvisation, which is what makes every guitar player unique. The great Bill Evans was renowned for his beautiful simple approach to this artform, and he has inspired many musicians in the same way that Robin shows how to simplify our approach by using one scale to cover every key, and every tune. Thanks Robin, even the best players can learn from this lesson.
Anthony Williams going to listen to some Bill Evans now ❤️Robin
Great insights and advice, thanks Anthony. Bill Evans was just as generous as Robin in sharing the skills needed for improvisation. That afternoon of his at the Village Vanguard is one of the greatest sessions ever.
oh ok... he means every chord in THAT scale & key . i thought , at 1st , that he meant : literally EVERY chord (that is the word used) , like augmented , diminished , altered etc. This is an awesome you tube site !!
Ha cheers Danny you’re right! Stay inspired! 🙏💕🎸Robin
This is just crazy useful and readily available to apply to so many improv ideas. One of those "aha" "eureka" moments where you discover something you already know is now so applicable in so many places. I real eye-opener. Thanks, Robin
Adolph Lopez so glad it helps Adolph! Stay well stay inspired! Robin
Robin, these lessons are really good and so easy to follow. Thank you for your enthusiasm.
So glad they help Russell stay inspired and thanks for the comment! Robin
Wow... the moment when you are searching for something and someone shows you that you already have it... thanks for it! Great video!
Marcin Julius Szabó yes great hey?! Stay inspired! Robin
I just wanted to add that I would love to see a video on the same approach applied to the Melodic Minor and the Harmonic Minor Scales. It would really be great to see this applied to the BeBop, Blues and Pentatonic Scales as well, but I'll do that on my own. It's like a whole system of the theory of Melody which the classicist haven't seemed to be able to provide us with.
Yes there’s a few vids on this channel which will interest you, the latest is a simplistic approach to using the Blues Scale ‘Django’ style have a look here and please leave a comment thank you! th-cam.com/video/oXm-DJGIwKA/w-d-xo.html
I sometimes wonder how many "former" metal players such as you Robin can make the transition to, not only playing Gypsy jazz, but play it as proficiently as you. Your chops are simply outstanding! Wow. Thank you Robin for all you do. Whenever I feel kind of sucky about my playing, I can always go to you for some inspiration. Thank you agent Nolan.
Steve Douglas agent Nolan at your service Steve, always here to inspire. I often have those same feelings but play play play and focus on getting good at fewer things, tunes, Licks, ideas etc. cheers! Robin
@@GypsyJazzSecrets Cool! Thanks Robin.
Steve Douglas 🙏🎸❤️
Thanks Robin that was an excellent video ❤
@@ouzalghost8411 glad it helps !
Never thought I'd say it Robin but I've played too much guitar lately. ...you're a pleasant distraction...great playing :)
tonybegood111 happy to help Tony! Robin
What great ideas using a C scale my brain is now working overtime - I've said for many years Robin you are a Gypsy Jazz gem.
Doug Linaker thanks Doug! Robin
hope all you people are well and thanx Robin for these ideas......Awesome
paul dewhurst Paul good to hear from you mate I hope all is well with you! Robin
Great lesson, love how it reaffirms modal theory. Im a harmonica player not a guitarist but I just apply this stuff to my harp.
Don't forget that the key center of C major changes to reflect the root of the chord change, for example, when you play over Em, your home key changes to E.
Thanks for the comment Marco that makes sense. Stay inspired! Robin
Correct...but I think his point is that you can simply start anywhere in the C major scale and it still works reasonably well
I'm new to the gypsy genre, although I've been playing guitar on and off for years. I've never got as good as I could or should be. However, these tutorials are an inspiration and this one in particular. I shall be incorporating this exercise immediately! Thanks Robin. 👍👍
That’s great Phil stay inspired and thanks for the comment! Robin
Another stunningly brilliant explanation Robin!!! Excellent way to demo the modes against that scale... You are a superb teacher! Thanks!
Thanks for the kind words Martin and stay Inspired!
I found that in-between the mode examples if you play some gibberish out of key stuff it will clear your ear of the parent key. This helps to make each example sound more modal and not all like its C major. Try it.
Good point got to cleanse the pallet with some gibberish! 🙌
robin you're a master, i love how you play... it's incredible how just sounds can provoke us such beautiful and different emotions, so mysterious...
Julian Miguel thanks for the kind words Julian yes it’s all about expressing your emotions. 🎸❤️Robin
This feels like it may be the most important lesson I’ve ever watched, and it’s certainly inspired me to knuckle down to some serious practice. Time to get that looper pedal out, I think.
glad it helps and yes loopers help!
Listened to this twice. It's marvelously clear.
Interesting hey Sally?! 🙏💕🎸Robin
@@GypsyJazzSecrets Funny that way...I've had lessons in person with two different people (I move around a lot) but it's watching your short vids over and over that make it all make sense.
@@seckhoffable so glad to hear they help Sally stay inspired!
Great job illustrating the flavor of the Major scale over the Diatonic chords from C Major. A suggestion for next time might be to illustrate how each note found in each chord (ie, the arpeggio) emphasizes specific sounds and that was why your solos were so on point! Thanks Robin!
JAZZ GITAN yes good point mate.. I can go into specific notes and how why they sound good over different chords. Hope you’re well bud! Robin
Hi Sensei, Logical, simple, no headache. You are No.1 Sensei. Your guitar makes today happier. I am practicing this lesson with my old Epiphone. Thanks tons. Take good care. Masaki❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Masaki Shimazaki Hi Sensei, No headache is number 1 priority! I’m sure it sounds great on the old Epiphone. 🙏🎸❤️Robin
It is amazingly simple but you can get such great sounds with a major chord. You can obviously learn many exotic scales and have it all under your fingers but sometimes simple is best.
Joseph Bradley cheers Joseph yes simplicity is the source ❤️Robin
Excellent! Bumped my understanding up a full notch and love the enthusiasm and good energy, thanks!
Awesome! I love your way of teaching spark and simple pure passion. Thank you! Will check this 14 days free. Maybe you have a vid about playing over all those chords one after another?
Thanks man yes we have lots of useful step by step courses in the club for improvising over tunes and chord progressions. Stay Inspired! Robin
Nice one, Robin... a brilliantly played, understated introduction to modes. I wish I'd discovered you and your teaching style earlier on this jazz journey of mine - it would have saved me years of thrashing about not knowing which way is up :-) The only thing I would add, perhaps, is to suggest a lesson in which you extend the C Scale idea to any scale using the 5 regions of the fretboard as a platform for playing in any key. Best wishes, Davey McC
yes good idea David, lot's of room to extend this. Thanks for the comment and stay well! Robin
I saw you play with Jimmy and Chris Quinn on Sunday. Awesome, as was this lesson. Thanks very much.
Thanks Chris really glad you enjoy the music and lessons - Stay Inspired! Robin
Crystal clear as always Rob. You’re the best in the gj teaching bizz. Don’t let Hank B. define your accent though, but just tell him we miss him at our yearly French do.
Thanks for the kind words Menno hope you’re well my friend! Robin
@@GypsyJazzSecrets on the one hand playing tracks and sending the Magix files to and fro a fellow collaborator to get some tunes together. On the other jamming live with fellow musicians in the States or Oz or wherever through the JamKazam.com App. Obviously playing a lot alongside your and others vids.
Thanks for showing a simpler way to think modally. It is useful, interesting and fun to go back to the beginning of the clip and see how you are using the scale on Honeysuckle Rose. Hope the shack fever is not too bad for you all - is that why you are often being sent to the back garden?
dingoswamphead yes you know me... simplicity is the name of the game. Even complex modes can be seen clearly if you stick to the parent scale C Major. We are living tightly here and no back garden but still harmonious at this point! Robin
I love the way you make things simple. Modes always confused me. Both the what and the why. So inspiring Thank you. Thank you. Thank you
Glad it helps! Robin
That’s so simple yet so great, thanks Robin.
Bernard White welcome Bernard glad it helps, Robin
This has to be the most overlooked (yet the most important) concept in music theory. Thanks Robin! Also, what a GREAT way to improve your ear while playing!!
J Larranaga welcome man stay inspired and keep it simple! Robin
Beautiful. Very clear explanation and demonstration. Chapeau👍👍👍
Thanks David and welcome! Robin
I'm a blues player that things are pretty limited when playing Blues so I'm about to start doing a little bit of fusion plan I'm trying to look for elements from different entrance of music to add into my Blues playing to make me stand out
perfect Michael start using some of these ideas and concepts and let me know how it goes for you...there's lots of useful short videos here on the channel too. Robin
@@GypsyJazzSecrets thank you so kindly I really and gracefully appreciate it very much
@@YEARS_OF_TEARS_BLUES welcome!
you just answered me a hundred questions had lurking for years --- thanks Rob!
welcome man! Robin
Practicing your lesson in Church Hill, TN. good on ya, Robin!
Beautiful stay inspired! 🎸🙌
I found that when I played it a lot and also took time to draw it on a neck graph over and over so I could actually draw it without a guitar in hand BOOM I knew it
Nice one mate! 🙌
would never have thought of it that way - wow
Cool Ralph stay inspired 🎸❤️Robin
This guy is legendary
Too kind John stay inspired! 🎸🙌
great vibe about you Mr Gypsy , thanks love the positive aura
Theo Katman welcome Theo stay inspired bro. 🎸❤️Robin
Fantastic lesson ... loving it 😂
Nice one mate have fun! 🙌🎸❤️
This is a massive lesson thank you! I’m hearing some really jazzy sounds when played over some of those chords, are you using the root of the chord you are playing over as a Root note for your runs? what I need to help me develop 🙏 don’t know what I’d do without your TH-cam lessons and the beginners book you wrote you are a fab teacher.
yes even though I'm just paying C major i'm aware of the chord i'm playing over so yes
This was great Robin! Thanks so much. This tutorial of yours fit it perfectly with my private lessons here in Ithaca, NY were my teacher just introduced me to the harmonized chord scale- which you were using here. I've not seen the harmonized chord scale mentioned in any of the gypsy jazz courses from any of the popular guitarists- on line or at camps like Django in June etc. So this was a nice support.
Brian Keeler perfect Brian! I’m always trying to simplify what can get complicated. Nothing simpler than the good old c major scale. Thanks for your comment it means a lot. Robin
Amazing video thank you for the tips. I will learn the c scale 👍😁🥂
Yes learn it all over the neck Julie it will really help you!
Your kitchen looks fantastic. (Oh yeah, thanks for all the guitar stuff too!) x
thanks dude!
Thank you very much "uncle"
Peace
Excellent.
Happy New Year! 🎸🙏❤️
Hi, Robin. Although the use of such a scale is pretty cool, the most challenging thing for me is still to create a phrase that sounds more jazzy during the execution. Thanks a lot for the video. You're the man !
Alexandre Costacurta yes this could be something I can look at in another lesson. I suggest leaving space and breathing as a way to start with phrasing. All the best! Robin
Thanks so much for this knowledge! It's a brilliant way of explaining it! I'd been tripping over it for years, but was afraid of playing it over other chords.
Hey Todd - so glad it helps! Robin
Thanks Robin saw you in Amsterdam thanks for your wonderful clear cut lessons
Rick (Curacao)
Welcome Rick enjoy Curacao 🇨🇼! Robin
Great presentation-Thank you&greetings from Poland
Welcome Piotr glad it helps! Robin
You're awesome man! Thanks for all the tips and enthousiasm! :)
Pepijn Vermeulen thanks for your kind words Pepijn stay inspired! 🎸❤️Robin
Robin, Greetings from Long Beach CA. I had just invested in a looper and, being a Luddite, I haven't quite gotten accustomed to its use. This edition is just the thing I was looking forward to trying out and here it is, modes in disguise, Great lesson! Thank you so much.
Dan Freleaux great move Dan! So useful for practice and performing if you’re on your own. Hope you’re well all the best mate. Robin
Great Robin !
Superloco Gypsy thanks man hope you’re well! Robin
@@GypsyJazzSecrets yes it's all right. Close in the house 😀🇮🇹
Thank you , splendid and clear Lesson.
Korsaro1 you’re welcome I’m glad it helped. 🎸❤️Robin
Love this thanks. ❤
Yeah interesting hey?
Do you know that you are playing unbelievably! That’s very nice. And I want video about Django’s Chords. Short and clear to understand video.
Fist Pump Company thanks 🙏 Robin
It sound beautiful when you play the major scale!
John Rothfield thanks John I’ll share some of those lines using the manor scale soon .. cheers! Robin
Robin I love your videos man! Can you do a video on how to unlock the ear? I mean, how to get the ideas in the mind out on the guitar. If that makes sense. Thank you and love from Scotland.
Oheh84 Vaid great idea and I’ll think of a way to articulate that ❤️Robin
Gypsy Jazz Secrets thank you Robin, I know it’s a difficult concept but I think it’s so important. I know piles of scales and arpeggios but I want to harness my ear a lot more. I see that as the ultimate goal for improvisation. Thank you so much again amigo.
Amazing lesson!! INCREDIBLE playing!! You make the C Major scale sound magical and exotic!!! Damn, bruh!! My guitar must not have some of those notes. Do the extra notes cost more? Should I upgrade? Are you using a special pick?? Why can't I make my guitar sound like that? Do i need a bigger purple shirt? Please help!
Bear!
I have been playing around with the idea of keeping to just Cma in Minor Swing. It works across the whole tune! It sounds OK but boring against Ami, a bit spacey and Santana-like against the D minor, and sort of works even against the E7. Another approach which makes me sound far more skilful than I deserve is to play Cma against the Ami and Dmi, and then venture dangerously into A harmonic minor for the E7 bit. Or A harmonic minor sounds cool all the time. Perhaps I belong in a thread called Gypsy Jazz for Dummies. One more serious advantage of this approach is that I can think more about what to do rhythmically rather than succumb to the pressure of churning out 8th notes all the time.
dingoswamphead yes that is the goal so we clean be confident with the harmony to free up our phrasing. Keep experimenting and using your ear... your description of the Santana like sound is accurate! Robin
Thanks for the tip @dingoSwamphead I’m going try C major over Minor Swing now to see how it sounds against the chords. Thanks for suggesting it 🙏
Thankyou!
Welcome David! Robin
@@GypsyJazzSecrets Thank-you Robin and thank-you for sharing all your wonderful musical insights!
Wow... I am just seeing 👀 this now!
Handy!
Love it, thanks!
mick davidson welcome Mark glad it helps! Robin
Gypsy Jazz Secrets I’ve just recorded myself play four bars of each chord, then played over them using the C scale. Why do your licks always sound so great, whereas mine sound like someone who hasn’t a clue? 😂😂😂👍
Very interesting, I think I know what I’m up to tomorrow
That’s it man have a go take it slow and stay Inspired!
Great lesson again yes, which looper and guitar mic do you use ?
thanks mate - boss looper and it's a humbucker fitted in my gypsy guitar through n AER amp - stay inspired!
What is the pickup on your guitar? I'd like to put a nice pickup on my Gypsy guitar, but don't know what is the best one. This sounds good. Of course a lot has to do with amp settings. Thanks.
It’s a Joe Barden Humbucker (Danny Gatton) I recommend and also use a Krivo Micro Manouche which sound and look awesome
Total gut und abwechslungsreich.
Gruß aus DEUTSCHLAND
uwe Lutzmann 🙏🙏🎸❤️Robin
Hi Robin. As I mentioned below, another great video - thanks! I'm just getting into Gypsy Jazz (having played everything else such as blues, bluegrass and recently, a little jazz) so I'm working out the basics. I'll probably join your online club once I get a little better. In the meantime, a very quick question: I see in this video you have a pickup fitted but I see elsewhere that it's standard to use nylon strings on the Gypsy Jazz guitar. Could you please illuminate? Are you using steel srings here (with a standard electromagnetic pickup) or something else? Many thanks in advance! 🙂
It’s a Humbucker pickup fitted on my Polak Gypsy Guitar. Steel strings are used on these guitars kind of like silk and steel. We have a Beginners Pathway in the club that will take you step by step through the most important chords arpeggios and tunes in Gypsy Jazz - we would love to see you in the club!
Great stuff. A friend turned me on to you. Question of you have an opportunity to reply; So does this work only when you are in the key of C? Also I'm assuming the same holds true if you id say a D scale and then went through the chords in the key of D. Is that true?
Thanks for this.
Mario Giacalone yes absolutely Mario this concept is true for all keys. My advice is to really understand it in C first and then try in other guitar keys like D, G, E. Thanks for the comment. 🎸❤️Robin
I think this is a brilliant presentation, one which sets aside that idea that one needs to know "modes" to play well. I know other teachers who use this type of scale idea for improvising. I was disappointed though that in this lesson you didn't demonstrate the idea against an actual tune. While it can work perfectly over rhythm change tunes in C, it requires a little extra thought when applying it over tunes with dom7 chords in it, like All of Me, which introduce an occasional # here and there. Maybe in Part II of this lesson? :-) LOL
Thanks fir the kind words Carl. I’ve been demonstrating this approach inside the Gypsy Jazz Club often. You should come and take a look sometime. I’m also able to give private coaching that helps a lot if the guys. But yes it’s all about applying these things to actual tunes! Robin
hey Robin, great lesson as always! I was wondering wich kind of pickup you are using to amplify your guitar. Sounds really good...
Hey Peter the pickup on that guitar is a Joe Barden Humbucker, really rocks on a Gypsy guitar! Robin
@@GypsyJazzSecrets tx a lot Robin!
wow what a tasty opening jam, i could hear it but i could feel it even more, great playing! i think you have achieved a lyrical, very lyrical and recognisable personal style. the holy grail really.
lyrical
/ˈlɪrɪk(ə)l/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
1.
(of literature, art, or music) expressing the writer's emotions in an imaginative and beautiful way.
"he gained a devoted following for his lyrical playing"
musterionsurly thanks that means a lot. Indeed being lyrical and personal style is something we should all strive for. I appreciate your comment thank you! Robin
This is great, thanks. When you were talking about familiarity, and the scale tones, how come you refer automatically to D as the ninth of C rather than the second? I ask because I’m still in the fundamental place of trying to imprint chords scales and arpeggios in my head, and be aware of what fits where, and I can definitely still only count to 7 at this stage in my scale thinking.
Hey Chris - I say 9th cause the D is an extension beyond the octave and in a chord sounds awful played as. 2nd next to root. Just think of the D as the 9th. Take it slow!
@@GypsyJazzSecrets Thank you so much, your generosity with knowledge is a true gift into my life. I love your book Beginner Gypsy Guitar, I sincerely appreciate it and really enjoy your work and teaching!
@@chriscox7631 nice one man stay inspired!
Great stuff ! Very modern sounding too. Tell all about that pickup ! ;)
michael bell yes it’s a Joe Barden Humbucker which a mate fitted to this guitar.. kind of rocks! Robin
I've been watching these tutorials on Modes (like Rickey Cominsky's) and it seems to me that what you are presenting is a Romani "back door" approach. So you are playing the so called "Church Modes" but starting on the same note every time, which is the Root of Ionian, then the 7th of Dorian, then the 6th of Phrygian, then the 5th of Lydian, then the 4th of MixoLydian, then the 3rd of Aeolian, then the 2nd of Locrian.
I play Jazz Violin and have done 4 transcriptions of Stephane Grappelli (which are available on Muse Score) and Steph, it seems to me, didn't really begin to express these concepts until the late 50's, when his playing just went to another level.
Did it take him ten years to internalize this Concept? and then combine it with the Bebop language he seems to have absorbed through the piano playing of Bud Powell?
I read in a Phd Thesis that Charlie Christian got wind of Django through his association with Bob Will's and the Texas Playboys and then went to New York and started BeBop with Thelonious Monk, who also seems to have absorbed these same concepts, not Melodiacally, but more on a Chromatic approach to harmonization.
It Seems to me that it all goes back to Django and the Romani approach to music.
Thanks!
We’ll put Jack that’s fascinating thanks! Romani Back Door seems the preferred route 🎸🙏💕
Thank you for the great lesson, Robin!
So if you have a tune that’s in the key of C, this is a no brainer; however what if the song is in the key of Gm? Could you apply this idea to any chord that falls into the CMaj family throughout the progression?
Thanks Matt if you’re in Gm then the Bb Major family applies. I think Nita good to get specifies too like which tune are you meaning? 🙏💕🎸Robin
@@GypsyJazzSecrets what about Manior de mes Reves?
@@Matthew-pf9mj D Major all the way try it! Of course this is a very simplistic approach and there are chord changes that should be outlined in your lines but Manoir hangs a lot on D making it easy to solo over using D Major ideas.
@@GypsyJazzSecrets thank you 🙏🏼
Hi Robin- can you tell me ( or link to a video) what Webcam and Mic you use for these youtube lessons ? Thanks for all you do SK
I use my iphone 11 Steve - cheers, Robin
Devine🌞👍🙏
thank you!
Beautiful kitchen
Greg Motta thanks Greg my wife loves those comments.. had many! Robin
Is it a valid argumentation that the Hm7-5 sounds great with the Cmaj scale as it tends to drop to E7 and Amin, which is the third parallel of C?
Yes that works for me Martin quite an easy way to think about that chord. I think plating Cmajor over Bm7-5 gives the Locrian scale
CMAJ SCALE 6:40
Perfect thanks! Robin
This is a cool idea! In your example you solo over a single chord camp. Does this work with more complex harmonies?
J Larranaga you can essentially use this C Major scale over any of the chords in the C major family. So Dm7 G7 C you could play C over that progression. It’s a good place to start. Cheers! Robin
@@GypsyJazzSecrets does anything depend on the function of the chord in question.For example say the Fmaj and Fmin in j'attendrai ------ will the use of C scale fit the progression? I guess so cause the tonic is C, but say in a tune where the Tonic is unrelated to C ---- does the math still add up?
Dr. Be good point and that’s why I recommend practicing soloing over tunes. If you’d like more help check out www.GypsyJazzClub.com
enjoy your videos what pedal do you use to record rhythm with?
Thanks man it’s a Boss RC3 Looper 🙏❤️🎸Robin
Hi so I just bought your book and I’m confused about the chords. Where it says R in red do I also fret that??
Sir is it also possible and applicable if i use the 2 5 1 major progression using this one scale you discussed?thank you very much
Yes absolutely Marc. You can use the C major scale over Dm7 G7 C. Just look for some chromatic notes to ad some spice. Stay inspired! Robin
@@GypsyJazzSecrets sir robin thanks so much for answering my question.God bless to you and youre channel and i will keep watching your videos.😊😊😊
@@marcedson08 🎸🙏❤️
Wow!
Bernhard Nizynski 🙏❤️🎸 Robin
I’m lost. I guess I may need to go back and get a few more basics,
What about the C major scale with the E major chord
Lots of tension cool
what kind of strings you use for this guitar?
Argentine Strings by Savarez kind of like silk & steel
@@GypsyJazzSecrets❤thank you very much
Dynamite! Swing 42 Mutant on Steroids, thanks for the wonderful insights
James Reese yes it’s my Triple-X Polak Gypsy Guitar with humbucker... glad you enjoyed the lesson! Robin
So if you play in D major you must use the D major scale, right?
That’s a good option Steen! Robin
I don't play the guitar. I play the double bass and I am very interested i playing the gypsy jazz style.
I learn a lot from your videos.
@@steennordberg-nielsen3012 that’s great to hear Steen stay inspired mate! Robin
Just gonna go ahead and give this a like before I even watch the video
Mike Boiko cheers Mike hope the lesson helps.. 🎸❤️Robin
It would be cool ,do some like sponge bob song 😅
@@carlosgabrielestradamartin3065 couldn’t name one!
@@GypsyJazzSecrets yes i think is spongebob square pants i Guess use chords in 7 ns ,thanks very kind
@@carlosgabrielestradamartin3065 excellent thanks for the tip never heard of it must be good
🖤💛🤍🤍🤍
🙏🙌🎸❤️
basically you are going over the caged system
Ooh ok wasn’t aware of that but cool thanks for pointing out. 🙏🎸 Robin
Why do so many say “the” major scale? Aren’t there many?
There are 11 major scales on the guitar between C & C. I just chose C Major - there make sense?
@@GypsyJazzSecrets yes. It’s strange that people say “the” is all I guess. Thanks.
@@Playsinvain ahh yes I understand - of course there are many scales but I’m trying to simplify and show how much you can do with one scale
@@GypsyJazzSecrets indeed. And you do it well… it was a confusing thing is all, to here so often “the” instead of “a”. I’m out of the confusion…so I certainly won’t belabor an accepted nomenclature..
@@Playsinvain that’s it man keep it simple and stay inspired 🙌
hmb5 such an ugly chord, bad sounding chord......
Flemming Madsen don’t play it! Can also be a Minor 6 chord too if that helps.. cheers, Robin
@@GypsyJazzSecrets thanks. Great video btw...
@@freeman1458 glad it helps mate