Django Reinhardt and the mandolin, the melding of these worlds is always a favorite topic of ours. Though some Gypsy Jazz purists might snub their nose at the entrance of the eight-string brethren, one can't deny the logic: tuned like a violin, plucked like a guitar, why wouldn't the mandolin fit in a Gypsy ensemble?

Let alone the irony that early Gypsy technique has its roots in mandolin; according to Django authority Michael Horowitz, "there is evidence that Django and Baro Ferret studied right hand technique with Poulette Castro, a Gitan bandurria player. If you look at the old Italian classical mando books they all tell you to play everything exactly like the Gypsy Picking book."

If you haven't been to Michael's site, www.djangobooks.com, it's well worth exploring! Not only some cool hard-to-find educational materials and MP3s, there is a year-old Discussion Forum dedicated to mandolinists head up by Berklee School of Music Professor, John McGann, a perennial and often quoted favorite around here.

Visit and participate in the Mandolin Forum!

Posted by Ted at December 13, 2006 6:01 AM