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Downstrokes and upstrokes confusion.

MusetteMusette New
edited May 2010 in Gypsy Picking Posts: 96
Hello everybody, i'm getting into Jazz Manouche and been studying with both MH Gypsy Picking and Romanes L'Esprit Manouche ( i just started with both) and i have a question thats been confusing me a lot.
The rule is " always play a downstroke when changing strings in any direction and when ending phrases"
but should i play a downstroke before changing to the new string and then again a downstroke in the new string or just a downstroke on the new string????
To make my point clear i'll show you this example from Tchan Tchou's La Gitane:

Phrase 1:
-------------------------------------------2-5- <-------------(end of phrase)
----3-2-3-2-3-4-3--------------------3-------
----------------------5-3-2-------2-5---------
------------------------------5-4--------------
------------------------------------------------
....d-u-d-u-d-u-d---d-u-d--d-u-d-u-d--d-d

Which one is right????

Phrase 1 option #2:
-------------------------------------------2-5-- <-------------(end of phrase)
----3-2-3-2-3-4-3--------------------3-------
----------------------5-3-2-------2-5---------
------------------------------5-4--------------
------------------------------------------------
....d-u-d-u-d-u-d--d-u-d--d-d-d-d-d--d-d

Phrase 2:
----1-3-1-0--------------------------------------
--------------3-1---------------------------------
------------------3-2-----2---0-1-2-------------
-----------------------------3--------------------
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
....d-u-d-u--d-u-d-u----d-d-d-u-d

Which one is right??????????


Phrase 2 option #2:
----1-3-1-0--------------------------------------
--------------3-1---------------------------------
------------------3-2-----2---0-1-2-------------
-----------------------------3--------------------
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
...d--u-d-u-d-u-d-d---d--d-d-u-d
Could someone verify/correct thist upstroke/downstroke diagrams???

Thanks

Comments

  • crookedpinkycrookedpinky Glasgow✭✭✭✭ Alex Bishop D Hole, Altamira M & JWC D hole
    Posts: 925
    Isn't the "right" answer the version which suits you best. In other words which one matches ease of playing with best tone and volume production. I gave up with all the "rules" and try to play as many downstrokes as possible, definitely when changing strings, but where it means additional travel to get to the next string I would go for an upstroke. Does that make sense - it's a balance between speed and tone/volume.

    Alan
    always learning
  • BluesBop HarryBluesBop Harry Mexico city, MexicoVirtuoso
    Posts: 1,379
    Hey buddy,
    Come down to my place for a private lesson and I'll try to clear all your doubts.
    For phrase 2 the first option looks better.
  • MusetteMusette New
    Posts: 96
    Isn't the "right" answer the version which suits you best. In other words which one matches ease of playing with best tone and volume production. I gave up with all the "rules" and try to play as many downstrokes as possible, definitely when changing strings, but where it means additional travel to get to the next string I would go for an upstroke. Does that make sense - it's a balance between speed and tone/volume.

    Alan
    Thanks, i think you are right, theres nothing "wrong" in music, if you can play it and it feels ok, then you should just focus on making music and not being too worried about rules.
    After all, music is very subjective.
  • MusetteMusette New
    Posts: 96
    Gracias Blues, estoy seguro de que pronto te contactaré, pero primero quiero ahorrar para conseguirme una guitarra estilo Selmer.
    Saludos
  • dennisdennis Montreal, QuebecModerator
    Posts: 2,161
    u don't necessarily have to end on a downstroke, there are so many phrases that end with up strokes including your examples... it really depends , there are no rules, it depends on the accents,, u want to get ... u can also start phrases with upstrokes.... you seem to have missed that in the last 4 notes of your second phrase, where it would make more sense to startt with an upstroke on the note "A"
  • Remember ...rules are made for the guidance of wise men and the obeissance of fools :shock: :lol::lol:
    The Magic really starts to happen when you can play it with your eyes closed
  • crookedpinkycrookedpinky Glasgow✭✭✭✭ Alex Bishop D Hole, Altamira M & JWC D hole
    Posts: 925
    Well said Jazzaferri...........
    always learning
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