Michael Horowitz (4)

An essential book for a guitarist learning to play in the style of the great Django Reinhardt. Horowitz teaches you how to execute the rest stroke picking style that is the key element of getting an authentic gypsy tone. The book starts with the basics of correct posture and how to hold the pick and strike the strings. It moves on to present the reader with a series of open string picking exercises, arpeggios and scales to build right-hand technique. At the end is a play-along with a minor show more blues solo incorporating the techniques covered.

This isn't an easy technique to master. It's markedly different from what most people grow up employing and even experienced players often have an period of transition to the new style in which they pretty much can't play guitar. However, the tone, volume, and control you gain is worth this awkward stage. I've been using this and a few other of Horowitz's books for about two years now, and am very pleased with how my technique has improved.

Play along CD included. For related material see the DjangoBooks website. show less

A book of transcriptions in standard notation and tablature of some of Django's best solo pieces along with a few études in the style. The music is beautiful in its own right, but this book is also an excellent resource for anyone studying the harmonic elements of gypsy jazz.

For related material see the Django Books website.