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I just can't get this strumming/rhythm (gypsy jazz)


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Maybe because you're playing it slow? ;)

This (after the intro) is a pretty basic strumming pattern, at least in the right hand. It's swing, of course, so the upstrokes are not equal 8ths between the downstrokes - they're delayed. You do have to be confident and vigorous with those downstrokes - play loud!

The hard part is maybe the left hand muting - the control of this hand is what defines gypsy swing (in fact all vintage swing guitar). Most chords are muted (in order to cut through and define the beat). In this demo, the only long chords seem to be the first beat of each chord - then it's 2 bars of fret-muting: and quite subtle and varied fret muting.

IOW, control of swing and dynamics is in the right hand. Control of duration is in the left. Both need to be quite subtle to sound good.

So - it is basic (in terms of beats, and down-and-up pattern), but to be effective takes quite a bit of experience and trial and error, to get the control of dynamics (etc) intuitive. Don't be afraid to really hack at those strings, though: that right hand takes no prisoners!

And don't try it slow: keep the tempo medium, not a lot slower than this. Much slower, and the right arm move will start stiffening up. Your forearm has to be relaxed and positive.

Practice without playing chords at all to start with - mute the strings totally with your left, so you just get a "chk chk" sound. Then strum like you're trying to break the strings! (It doesn't really need to be that forceful in practice, but you need to release any inhibitions at the start.)

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