Django also inspired Tony Iommi to get back to guitar after his industrial accident. "As he lay in the hospital, Iommi first became aware of Reinhardt’s style when the factory manager came to see him, telling Classic Albums, “He brought me an EP and told me to play it. And I was like, ‘No, I don’t want to listen to it’. Then I did, and it was Django Reinhardt. I thought his playing was great, and he said, ‘Well, he’s had an accident in another form and has lost two fingers’. And it really got me going, like ‘wow, somebody’s done it”.
I was in my first teenage band doing DP, LS & BS and about to record our first single, was into Tony Iommi when I fûcked two fingers in a machine at work in '78. Tony Iommi's story inspired me. I love his acoustic stuff like Laguna Sunrise I learned about Django later and spontaneously recorded an acoustic duet piece we dubbed 'Django Rag'...
The beauty of the guitar is that its so versatile and Django used that to the fullest.. TWO fingers and the many different tunings and the will to NOT give up
i can tell youre a musician yourself because this is how a lot of musicians feel when they explore Django's discography. It's like mystical magic skill breaking into our plane of existence even.
Very nicely and respectably researched and for upholding the name of one of the most iconic and influential musicians that's ever graced this earth. Thank you.
My father, Charles Peterson, a famous jazz photographer honored after he passed with a special jazz edition of Playboy with many of his photos selected personally by Hefner for that issue. Dad LOVED Reinhardt's fantastic playing and I can't count the number of times he mentioned his name throughout my life.
Kinda wish you would have opened up some of the scenes with Jango playing. It's nice that you had all this wonderful history, but woulda loved to hear more guitar as well.
My uncle introduced me to Django's music when I was about 10 years old and had been playing guitar for 3 years. His favourite tune was 'Nuages', (Clouds). He also taught me bar chords, a great improvement in my playing. I later lost the ability to play bar chords due to an injury to my wrist from a motorbike accident. I only have a quarter turn in my left hand, instead of a half turn. I have since adapted my technique, using my thumb to fret the bass strings. Anything is possible if you follow your passion.
I have heard the name Django Reinhart a bunch but never knew who he was, thanks for this great video! I love musicians who overcome the odds. I just started playing bass 2 months ago after deciding that my tiny hands could do it and I'm so glad i did! Where there's a will there's a way
What an inspirational story for a man left hand playing limited with two left fingers able to break boundaries and soared to great heights in the music industries. His innovative and creative two finger playing techniques of chord and melodies drives the rhythm of jazzy music eras. Thanks for sharing and telling the story of Django Reinhardt a great jazz musician with two fingers behind the music scenes. I have heard his name mentioned in the jazz music circles before but didn't know the whole story of it.
It would be mind boggling to understand his skills if he had four fingers but to do it with two is beyond comprehension. His version of Tiger Rag with Grappelli is but just one of his amazing performances.........
The first time I heard Django 40 years ago I was shell shocked I coulden,t believe anybody could play a guitar like he did. And when I found out he only had 2 fretting fingers it was beyond my comprehension. Otherworldly genius
I've seen samples of the chords he tried out. He actually had two fingers and a thumb-that would come into play at times. His lead lines of course were with two. If you watch closely he also used his fused ring and pinky to dampen or even hold the top strings. Not entirely two fingered
@@vincentl.9469 THANK YOU!! People LOVE to perpetrate the b.s. about the "two fingers"..."A two-fingered man..." Jeezis. In any footage, what you so truthfully state is so evident, and even without viewing, hearing some of his chords and appegios it's obvious there are more than two fingers involved. If there's no bombast and hype, people won't pay attention. Two fingers...
@@musicofanatic glad you agree. As I said, his lead lines were two fingered , you can see that, but It should be noted too that those index and middle fingers were fairly long and had strength. Someone with diddy fingers would have struggled. Using just the thumb and forefinger you can play things like G, G7 - but you need that thumb. We can only guess at what he could have achieved with 5 good fingers ! It also helped that after his misfortune, he was already competent at playing. It was a case of adapting..🤟
Wonderful and very inspirational! I have known of Django Reinhardt since my childhood but never knew much about his background. I love how he is always smiling when playing his guitar.
I have fond memories of Tony Gatliff's film, "Swing" which came out back in 2002. Tchavolo Schmidt on guitar, some wonderful jam sessions. The film has all but disappeared. I would love to view it. The film was an homage to the music, the people who brought it to life for the world. It is hard to find or hear anyone performing this music in the San Francisco, California area.
For those interested in the history of jazz guitar, there is a very good CD set "Hittin' on All Six the History of the Jazz Guitar. It is basically organized as pre Charlie Christian, Charlie Christian, and post Charlie Christian. It has six Django Reinhardt songs.
Musicians and people close to jazz know Django. Would be great to for his music to see a rebirth among all people. Could help move us to higher ground.
I lost part of two fingers in my left hand and I'm a bass player. A friend of mine from church took me to at the jangle Reinhardt film Festival. What a wonderful gift. My anniversary date for my amputation is in about three days. I still play bass, I joined the Army reserve band system as an amputee an played bass and tuba.And I play pedal harp.
The uncontestable part is that no one has inspired as devoted a following. No one else's guitar style became a genre, and one that is going as strong almost a century later. Definitely a unique "GOAT" in music history.
I heard his name Django in a few occasions of my life but i never knew he's a guitarist not to mention his clean shreds with just two fingers on an acoustic guitar too. Damn This man can play with such elegance
So the caravan fire was fueled by flowers made from nitrate-the same flammable material from which early film stocks were made (cf. Inglourious Basterds).
Django was a one off unique and never to be seen again guitar genius ignore all those greatest guitarist ever polls. Django rarely gets mentioned. But you can bet your last dollar in the future Django will still be astounding guitarists when all of todays guitar gods are just a footnote in history. He,s just too good to be forgotten
Why do polls, hall of fame or any of that crap matter to so many people? Do you like Django Reinhardt? If so, that should be good enough, shouldn't it?. Why is it necessary to denigrate, demean or even compare to other musicians? Why do you care if others know about him or like him or not, or if others like other guitar players more? If you like Django Reinhardt, wtf else need be said? "I like Django Reinhardt! He is my favorite guitarist and I enjoy listening to him! Maybe if you heard him, you would like him too. Give Django a listen". That would be a reasonable statement to make...
In general this was sloppy in the number of errors as well as the mixing of real historical photos with movie performance footage. A Banjo Guitar (6 strings) is not a Banjo (5 string) although the footage would have the uninitiated believe otherwise.
One of my Top Fifty Jazz recordings is 'I'll see You in my Dreams', which exemplifies the very best of Django..... 2.35 of guitar magic! Play this on YT and wonder just how he did it....but really it was Django's extraordinary brain that overcame the disability to produce his unique sound. Play 'Dreams' a thousand times and you will not tire of it!......I haven't. PS Play his hands in slow motion and you'll get some idea of his finger movements.
What is beyond my comprehension is how Django can go into a recording studio and play I'll see you in my dreams off the cuff and improvise something so perfect without rehearsing. it sounds as if it's been practiced over and over till he got it right
We can talk about the musings of so many amazing artists. But the one difference between us and them is desire. Slow down read it again and ask yourself. Desire or wont..
@@Caligari... Agree with you; there’s no objective measure for an absolute comparison. It’s just down to personal preference and for me i prefer him to Hendrix.
Man, this is beautifully made, but since it lacks musical examples, you really have to be a musician that is already well-sunk into it, to make sense of it. I did enjoy it tho, good video!
he could use those fingers for quite a few chords tho, but their reach was very limited, so it doesnt work in solo's, which makes his solos so insanely incredible.
I am so inspired by Django that I have taken a hammer to 8 of my fingers and I am destined for greatness, once I figure out how to hold a pick again, but that is a small issue.
as a fellow crippled old bastard, django has been one of the greats that you can look to and tell yourself "he only had two fingers he could use on his fretting hand, whats my excuse"?
This is what TH-cam is for, not 11 year old girls doing makeup! I heard Django Reinhardt as a child on my dad's radiogram but knew nothing about him, let alone saw the genius at work until I saw this video and others it led me to. I always thought BB King started string bending in the 50s but Django was doing it nearly 20 years earlier!
Django was amazing; Some points not hit on... Django was slighted in Ellington orchestra because he thought he should have been featured. He met Les Paul while in the states. Which freaked out Les because Les was emulating Django and he was his hero. There was a little dust up at a dinner they had together when Django thought he was slighted by the waiter. After Django's death Les went to see his grave sight and met his son who played How High the Moon for Les, but his played all the overdubbed parts besides the melody. When I went to France in the 60's I looked all over for anything Django but could only find one of his last albums where he was playing like Johnny Smith a music for lovers recording. He covered it quite well but I wanted to hear Hot House not smooth jazz.
Django also inspired Tony Iommi to get back to guitar after his industrial accident.
"As he lay in the hospital, Iommi first became aware of Reinhardt’s style when the factory manager came to see him, telling Classic Albums, “He brought me an EP and told me to play it. And I was like, ‘No, I don’t want to listen to it’. Then I did, and it was Django Reinhardt. I thought his playing was great, and he said, ‘Well, he’s had an accident in another form and has lost two fingers’. And it really got me going, like ‘wow, somebody’s done it”.
I was in my first teenage band doing DP, LS & BS and about to record our first single, was into Tony Iommi when I fûcked two fingers in a machine at work in '78.
Tony Iommi's story inspired me. I love his acoustic stuff like Laguna Sunrise
I learned about Django later and spontaneously recorded an acoustic duet piece we dubbed 'Django Rag'...
I had the same two fingers crushed by a log. I learned how play right handed.
Jerry Garcia lost a tip from chopping wood as a kid, I'm sure Django was an inspiration to learn different ways to play from him as well
No, he didn't and no, he wasn't.
Been a fan of Django since I was a kid. My dad was a guitarist and played his music often. Thanks for introducing Django to a new audience.
Did your father use only two fingers like Django or played like a normal guitarist?
Hatte er kinder
The beauty of the guitar is that its so versatile and Django used that to the fullest..
TWO fingers and the many different tunings and the will to NOT give up
I was blown away to see this video. Never knew he used just 2 fingers. Yes, what a will to never give up!
Definitely an inspiration!
His solos are a world apart. It's almost impossible to imagine how such gems were improvised.
i can tell youre a musician yourself because this is how a lot of musicians feel when they explore Django's discography. It's like mystical magic skill breaking into our plane of existence even.
Not sure about the general public, but in the guitar world he is considered a phenomenon. Thanks for the video!
no he's not
I like to call him "your favorite guitarist's favorite guitarist"
Very nicely and respectably researched and for upholding the name of one of the most iconic and influential musicians that's ever graced this earth. Thank you.
Excellent doc on Django and his contributions to music.
My father, Charles Peterson, a famous jazz photographer honored after he passed with a special jazz edition of Playboy with many of his photos selected personally by Hefner for that issue. Dad LOVED Reinhardt's fantastic playing and I can't count the number of times he mentioned his name throughout my life.
Jazz edition of playboy. Lmao
@AndyGravity what's so funny?
@@jimtapia8836 Must not realize that Hefner was a dedicated jazz fan.
@@devakikaren Jazz . . . and jizz.
@@devakikarenjazzy fanny
Kinda wish you would have opened up some of the scenes with Jango playing. It's nice that you had all this wonderful history, but woulda loved to hear more guitar as well.
That's exactly what I was crying out for I wanna hear him play!! 🙏
What even is this video doing, right?
Guessing it’s due to strict copyright issues
My uncle introduced me to Django's music when I was about 10 years old and had been playing guitar for 3 years. His favourite tune was 'Nuages', (Clouds). He also taught me bar chords, a great improvement in my playing. I later lost the ability to play bar chords due to an injury to my wrist from a motorbike accident. I only have a quarter turn in my left hand, instead of a half turn. I have since adapted my technique, using my thumb to fret the bass strings. Anything is possible if you follow your passion.
I have heard the name Django Reinhart a bunch but never knew who he was, thanks for this great video! I love musicians who overcome the odds. I just started playing bass 2 months ago after deciding that my tiny hands could do it and I'm so glad i did! Where there's a will there's a way
You could try short scale bass. Same sound, shorter neck.
Thanks for this informative look at a humble genius. Delighted to learn of this wonderful man!
What an inspirational story for a man left hand playing limited with two left fingers able to break boundaries and soared to great heights in the music industries. His innovative and creative two finger playing techniques of chord and melodies drives the rhythm of jazzy music eras. Thanks for sharing and telling the story of Django Reinhardt a great jazz musician with two fingers behind the music scenes. I have heard his name mentioned in the jazz music circles before but didn't know the whole story of it.
two fingers and a thumb..
It would be mind boggling to understand his skills if he had four fingers but to do it with two is beyond comprehension. His version of Tiger Rag with Grappelli is but just one of his amazing performances.........
I saw Grapelli live in the Hague in the eighties.
The first time I heard Django 40 years ago I was shell shocked I coulden,t believe anybody could play a guitar like he did. And when I found out he only had 2 fretting fingers it was beyond my comprehension. Otherworldly genius
I've seen samples of the chords he tried out. He actually had two fingers and a thumb-that would come into play at times. His lead lines of course were with two. If you watch closely he also used his fused ring and pinky to dampen or even hold the top strings. Not entirely two fingered
@@vincentl.9469 THANK YOU!! People LOVE to perpetrate the b.s. about the "two fingers"..."A two-fingered man..." Jeezis. In any footage, what you so truthfully state is so evident, and even without viewing, hearing some of his chords and appegios it's obvious there are more than two fingers involved. If there's no bombast and hype, people won't pay attention. Two fingers...
@@musicofanatic glad you agree. As I said, his lead lines were two fingered , you can see that, but It should be noted too that those index and middle fingers were fairly long and had strength. Someone with diddy fingers would have struggled. Using just the thumb and forefinger you can play things like G, G7 - but you need that thumb. We can only guess at what he could have achieved with 5 good fingers ! It also helped that after his misfortune, he was already competent at playing. It was a case of adapting..🤟
Wonderful and very inspirational! I have known of Django Reinhardt since my childhood but never knew much about his background. I love how he is always smiling when playing his guitar.
Even just only Django's signature way of smiling ...
As a drummer….i always love playing along with Django on my headphones makes me smile so much…..although I totally understand I am not really needed.
...wow what a story as a musician... he's exstradanary thanks for the post 👍
I have fond memories of Tony Gatliff's film, "Swing" which came out back in 2002. Tchavolo Schmidt on guitar, some wonderful jam sessions. The film has all but disappeared. I would love to view it. The film was an homage to the music, the people who brought it to life for the world. It is hard to find or hear anyone performing this music in the San Francisco, California area.
Definitely greatest two finger guitarist
For those interested in the history of jazz guitar, there is a very good CD set "Hittin' on All Six the History of the Jazz Guitar. It is basically organized as pre Charlie Christian, Charlie Christian, and post Charlie Christian. It has six Django Reinhardt songs.
His music iwonderful. And so is his dtory of perseverance in spite of pain and loss, and then rising above it all to greatness.
Incredible story of the inspiration and drive that took Django to greatness. Thank you for the share. I knew of Django but did not know his story.
The greatest of all time. No question.
Musicians and people close to jazz know Django. Would be great to for his music to see a rebirth among all people. Could help move us to higher ground.
You can hear the influence in Willie Nelson's music .
I lost part of two fingers in my left hand and I'm a bass player. A friend of mine from church took me to at the jangle Reinhardt film Festival. What a wonderful gift. My anniversary date for my amputation is in about three days. I still play bass, I joined the Army reserve band system as an amputee an played bass and tuba.And I play pedal harp.
Bless you and keep on playin'.
Marvelous! Wow.
Yes. His own style of voicing and playing . Unreal good! Even today!
Thanks for introducing me to such a legend. What an inspiration this dude is. Great video my guy. 💯
The uncontestable part is that no one has inspired as devoted a following. No one else's guitar style became a genre, and one that is going as strong almost a century later. Definitely a unique "GOAT" in music history.
Straight genius, the sound of a beautiful soul.
Well researched with a few clips I hadn't seen before. Please, continue with more of your great videos. Thanks!
I heard his name Django in a few occasions of my life but i never knew he's a guitarist not to mention his clean shreds with just two fingers on an acoustic guitar too. Damn This man can play with such elegance
Very interesting video about Django!!! I just wish you had put interludes with his music.
Great job! Thank you!
Enjoyable documentary. Great coverage.
Great video! Happy to learn more, keep em coming
His music adds much needed variety.
So the caravan fire was fueled by flowers made from nitrate-the same flammable material from which early film stocks were made (cf. Inglourious Basterds).
One of the greatest Jazz Guitarists
I discovered his music at 21, in 1970. I'd heard some jazz, but nothing like this! I don't listen to him as much, but he is still the master!
Great footage and stills of Django !
Would have been nice to hear some of his music at some point during this.
Django was a one off unique and never to be seen again guitar genius ignore all those greatest guitarist ever polls. Django rarely gets mentioned. But you can bet your last dollar in the future Django will still be astounding guitarists when all of todays guitar gods are just a footnote in history. He,s just too good to be forgotten
Why do polls, hall of fame or any of that crap matter to so many people? Do you like Django Reinhardt? If so, that should be good enough, shouldn't it?. Why is it necessary to denigrate, demean or even compare to other musicians? Why do you care if others know about him or like him or not, or if others like other guitar players more? If you like Django Reinhardt, wtf else need be said? "I like Django Reinhardt! He is my favorite guitarist and I enjoy listening to him! Maybe if you heard him, you would like him too. Give Django a listen". That would be a reasonable statement to make...
I've heard just about every recording Django has ever made from the early 30,s to the last he made before his death
That was an excellent documentary. Very inspirational!
I simply love Django Reinhardt.❤️❤️❤️❤️🇨🇦✌️
The best guitarist, not only jazz.
It’s the 6th chords that really set him apart
Django the Maestro!
BB King said he emulated Django’s vibrato.
I got to play a replica of his model. It played amazingly and projected well. The zero fret worked well with it
i learned alot in this 9 minute video. well done
Excellent presentation.
Merle Travis and Chet Atkins are misidentified in the video - the names are switched.
And it's Jimi Hendrix, not Jimmy
He doesn't even pronounce the word 'bassist' correctly. This is because millennials have read certain words but have not yet heard them. Sad.
@@spartan.falbion2761 Millennials definitely have a lot to learn! But now we have AI that can teach them how to pronounce everything wrong!
The greatest jazz guitarist of al times
im so stoked i found this channel. banger video
stoked banger
1:16 dude in the back getting DOWN
Merle Travis and Chet Atkins names and pictures are backwards, Chet is on left, Merle on left.
Chet is on the left, Merle is on the right.
In general this was sloppy in the number of errors as well as the mixing of real historical photos with movie performance footage.
A Banjo Guitar (6 strings) is not a Banjo (5 string) although the footage would have the uninitiated believe otherwise.
They can’t both be on the left!
One of my Top Fifty Jazz recordings is 'I'll see You in my Dreams', which exemplifies the very best of Django..... 2.35 of guitar magic! Play this on YT and wonder just how he did it....but really it was Django's extraordinary brain that overcame the disability to produce his unique sound. Play 'Dreams' a thousand times and you will not tire of it!......I haven't. PS Play his hands in slow motion and you'll get some idea of his finger movements.
What is beyond my comprehension is how Django can go into a recording studio and play I'll see you in my dreams off the cuff and improvise something so perfect without rehearsing. it sounds as if it's been practiced over and over till he got it right
an uplifting story. oh the way those dancers in the club are twerlling. must listen to him.
Excellent narrative
Your got the names backwards for Merle Travis and Chet Atkins at 3:56 mins in.
Gotta love AI commentary . . .
Also “Jimmy” instead of Jimi Hendrix
@@morgandecker3983Jimi is a stage spelling so yeah that's right, James Marshall Hendrix was his real name.
Yes Ritchie Blackmore is a fantastic guitar player dispite his injury.
The greatest ever. What to do...
We can talk about the musings of so many amazing artists. But the one difference between us and them is desire. Slow down read it again and ask yourself. Desire or wont..
Fantastic. Thank you
this fella on the radio made the original mafia game truly great
2:47 This says the fire incident was Nov 2 1928 but the article we see at 3:04 puts it at Oct 26, 1928. 4:07 change JIMMY TO JIMI
Dickey Betts wrote the Allman Bros’ classic Jessica as a tribute to Django, in that while you don’t have to, you can play it with two fingers.
@8:21 that’s not Willie. That’s Willie’s guitar luthier.
I do love me a bit of Django
Django Reinhardt has no equal to this day !
Gotta love Django.
Django was great, but my personal GOAT is *Wes Montgomery* ♥
... by some even the greatest guitarist ever.
I agree.
This guy was one of Willie Nelsons musical heros
In my books, he's at the top, ahead of Hendrix
How can you compare those two people at all ? They were who they were , both incredible innovators of their instruments .
That's why your books ain't selling.
😂@@User0000000000000004
Hendrix was in a whole different dimension 😂😂 way more than any other musician
@@Caligari... Agree with you; there’s no objective measure for an absolute comparison. It’s just down to personal preference and for me i prefer him to Hendrix.
Man, this is beautifully made, but since it lacks musical examples, you really have to be a musician that is already well-sunk into it, to make sense of it. I did enjoy it tho, good video!
Thanks for this interesting information.
This... is Django unchained.
Great job! Succinct and dense!
And do not forget the One And Only Johnny 'Guitar' Watson.
Noice. . . man dems some fast fingers innit.
Two paths of a mid-century Romani:
Steal the change or steal the show
he could use those fingers for quite a few chords tho, but their reach was very limited, so it doesnt work in solo's, which makes his solos so insanely incredible.
True! He did some barre chords with these fingers. But those solos are crazy knowing he just used two fingers
I am so inspired by Django that I have taken a hammer to 8 of my fingers and I am destined for greatness, once I figure out how to hold a pick again, but that is a small issue.
Nice docu! Just one thing: you had the names switched on the photos of Chet Atkins and Merle Travis. Atkins is on the left and Travis on the right.
as a fellow crippled old bastard, django has been one of the greats that you can look to and tell yourself "he only had two fingers he could use on his fretting hand, whats my excuse"?
He used them all, including his thumb. Yes, full mobility on only two, but he used them all
It's absolutely one of the best guitar players ever.😊
3:57 i think you confused the two
Yes, I noticed it after uploading, an honest mistake 😅... thanks for pointing it out!
@ 🔥🔥👍👍
What kind of AI softwre would put a Deliverance scene in this video ?
AI software.
I've played hard for 50 years. Now I'm two fingered, but I'm still playing.
Genius
Awesome sauceom
I’m afraid you happened to misplace the names of Merle Travis and Chet Atkins.
Also, that's Willie Nelson's guitar tech guy, not Willie.
Didn't know Nino Frassica was able to play guitar
Fun anecdote : I knew a lady who met Django, as she served as a waitress in a belgian bar where he played during WW2.
This is what TH-cam is for, not 11 year old girls doing makeup! I heard Django Reinhardt as a child on my dad's radiogram but knew nothing about him, let alone saw the genius at work until I saw this video and others it led me to. I always thought BB King started string bending in the 50s but Django was doing it nearly 20 years earlier!
It is for whatever people upload. Don't be arrogant and pompous.
As long as we're limiting it to jazz, I suppose he was the best.
Django was amazing; Some points not hit on... Django was slighted in Ellington orchestra because he thought he should have been featured. He met Les Paul while in the states. Which freaked out Les because Les was emulating Django and he was his hero. There was a little dust up at a dinner they had together when Django thought he was slighted by the waiter. After Django's death Les went to see his grave sight and met his son who played How High the Moon for Les, but his played all the overdubbed parts besides the melody. When I went to France in the 60's I looked all over for anything Django but could only find one of his last albums where he was playing like Johnny Smith a music for lovers recording. He covered it quite well but I wanted to hear Hot House not smooth jazz.
I think I read that he inspired Jerry Garcia and Toni Iomi as they both had hand injuries.