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Minor Swing Using Open Chords

Here’s a different way of playing the changes to Django’s classic ‘Minor Swing’ using mostly open chords down the bottom of the neck. It sounds slightly more traditional Gypsy.

In the clip I show you these chords and play a couple of chorus’s of Minor Swing changes so you get the idea. It’s just an alternate way to accompany a soloist without playing the usual ‘Pompe’ rhythm and mixes it up a little.

Let me know what that works out for you by posting a comment below. Cheers.

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21 comments - add yours
Phillip

November 29, 2009

Hey Robin! I’m not clear on the fingerings (save for the basic Am/E7). How’s about posting something transcribed?
Great stuff!
Thanks!

Marc B

November 30, 2009

Thanks Robin for another really insightful and useful tip. When are you coming to Spain next? – would love to see you play

Don Price

November 30, 2009

Robin,

You always toss that curve ball just when I think I got you! LOL
Kudos! I love that Dmi voicing and E/G# change. Quite refreshing.

~Don

BadHorse

November 30, 2009

now that’s a good guitar lesson….short n’ sweet. Thanks!

Jack Buckley

November 30, 2009

I second BadHorse’s comment … these bite-size tips are very effective.
That’s a cool voicing of the D minor, with the F bass note — are you also voicing F on the high E string with your index finger, or muting it?
Cheers Jack

Jonathan

November 30, 2009

That’s nice. I never thought of playing a d minor like that!

christian

November 30, 2009

Great! Many thanks for sharing this.

Cheers,

Christian

Tom

November 30, 2009

Great stuff, never thought of playing it with open chords, but its sounds really mellow. Looking forward to the next tips
Ciao

stu

November 30, 2009

Thanks again Robin, and many congratulations on your new family member.
At some point, I always use your patented turn around in Minor Swing.
Thanks for adding yet another inspirational twist to the tune.
stu

Ruben

December 1, 2009

Hee Robin,

Thanks for you lessons man! Its short easy but really usefull… So thanks alot and please send more !:D

Greeting from the Netherlands

matt

December 1, 2009

This is brilliant! thanks Robin, these videos are really changing the way i think about rhythm playing!

Robin

December 1, 2009

Hi Phillip – I will see what I can do about posting ‘transcriptions’ of the chords played but in the mean time just keep watching it over and over -that’s usually what I do when I’m trying to work new stuff out from youtube clips etc.
All the best to you!
Robin

Robin

December 1, 2009

Hi Marc – I really hope I can play in Spain in 2010 but no dates yet.(It has been way too long!)
Cheers,
Robin

Robin

December 1, 2009

Hi Jack – I think the top e string is not sounding in this clip but after just trying that D minor inversion now I see that indeed my index finger does actually make the f (1st fret 1st string)sound – I think it’s optional and depends on the context.
Cheers!
Robin

harald

December 1, 2009

Nice man, esp. the dminor, see you on the road :-)

Alexandros Kallifatidis

December 1, 2009

Hi Robin!
Great work! keep going!
I’ m looking for a new guitar (it is difficult to find a good gypsy guitar in Greece). Do you have something in mind?

Guy Gonzales

December 1, 2009

Love this post Robin. The voicings with the bass note on the 3rd sound great.

Flug USA

December 17, 2009

What a nice alternative on using the standard ones :)
Great playing and great guitar anyway.
greetings from germany

Steve Bellew

December 18, 2009

Very interesting voicings !!

Will from Briz

December 27, 2009

transcriptions would be great it’s not 100% clear from the video

Am: e0B1G2D2A0Ex

alan curtis

September 23, 2010

Any chance of chord transcritions for ‘Minor Swing’.
Thanks
Alan

Gypsy Jazz Guitar - Robin Nolan

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Gypsy Jazz Guitar - Robin Nolan

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