The Ins and Outs of Gipsy Jazz Music
By Fred Loizeau
Three levels : Novice, Medium, Advanced

We should know that Manouche Jazz is above all a music of fusion. It demands a good knowledge of the music of Jazz and the musical style of Manouche, created by the giant of Jazz, Django Reinhardt (1910-1953).
The teaching of Manouche's Jazz is based on three essential things : the harmony, the rhythm and the sound.
The Harmony
It's defined by the study of the tradition chords as well as typical Manouche attitude. It's being taught in many forms of reversal as well as "tone" changes. Thanks to the decomposition of cords (the goal is to acquire an instinct); The study of the Jazz theory is indispensable, (the study of and the acquisition of chords).
The Rhythm
Manouche Jazz possess's a particularity that can't be ignored. The accompaniment will be done in a strict manner, because it's the foundation of Manouche Jazz, a different "pomp" associated in general for the tempo used. In the study of "Refrain", This is an important point. The teaching is based on a good mastering of the basic rhythm (noir, croche, triolet, double, silence, etc..).
The sound
Manouche Jazz is played, in general, on acoustical guitars. So, it's important to identify the capacities of the instrument for it to correctly translate the desired emotion. Each note should have weight, each guitar pic should be stressed throughly as Django Reinhardt has done and to study and apply these different techniques in all forms of expression of the guitar(glissando,vibrato,etc...)
Improvisation
Improvisation is the final goal in Jazz. This musical style is an important aspect in each lesson. The complexion of Manouche Jazz style will involve the specific study of arpeggio and one's own style, as well as following the styles of the Jazz giants Django Reinhardt, Stochelo, Angelo Debarre, Tchavolo, Dorado or Moreno and all of them that I haven't mentioned and there are many more.
The Theme
Each lesson,will approach a different theme, which will be put into practice, the acquired knowledge from Django,s repertoire (Minor swing, Nuage, Belleville, Mélodie au crépuscule, etc...) in the Jazz standards (After you've done, Night and day, Cherokee, etc...), and in the Manouche standards (Dolorès, chez Jacquet, Montagne Ste Geneviève, etc...).
In each piece, it is important to study the introduction, the theme, and to improvise, deserving of the style of Manouche, and also to learn the framework of cords and to "rest" on the quick rhythm. Playing in a group, allows one to identify the role of the accompanist and the soloist, and to understand the placement of each musician in the group.
In conclusion, let me say that meeting and playing with other musicians with the same love and level is essential, because Jazz is a form of music which one can't learn and develop fully alone.
Fred Loizeau