Comments

• geese_com Madison, WINew 503

  November 2019 Posts: 461

  Calling @dennis to the Bat-phone

  
• MichaelHorowitz SeattleAdministrator

  November 2019 edited November 2019 Posts: 6,153

  @King_Cardboard I transcribed many of Django's and his accompanists' chord voicings for Rhythm Changes types tunes for Gypsy Rhythm Vol.2 (which I'll actually release some day.) They are usually quite different than what you'll find in more mainstream jazz or even in most Django fakebooks.

  The very early Django versions of the tune I Got Rhythm reduced I-vi-ii-V to just I and V or I-bii dim-V. I actually have never seen the original sheet music for I Got Rhythm so maybe that's how it was originally played. Later in the 30s you start to hear the ii and vi chord resulting in the more typical I-vi-ii-V. It's also worth noting that Django often played Rhythm Changes in a bass/chord two beat sort of style, walking bass lines all up and down the neck.

  Some of Django's own tunes based on Rhythm Changes have their own idiosyncrasies. One that comes to mind is Swing 42 which replaces the typical I-I7-IV-iv with v-VI7-ii-V

  Of course, you can also play these tunes with more conventional changes. But often I prefer Django's harmony as it gives the tunes a unique character which is unique to the style.

  
• King_Cardboard New

  November 2019 Posts: 75

  Thanks @MichaelHorowitz! That confirms a few of my guesses on how those tunes were being played. It’s always tricky distinguishing the rhythm sections chords from Django’s busy rhythm playing. Especially on records from the 30’s. Good luck on the releasing the book if you even find the time.