Django’s Tiger is a classic jazz composition written by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli in 1935. This iconic piece has become synonymous with the style of gypsy jazz and remains a favorite among jazz musicians and fans alike.
In this tutorial, we will break down the elements of Django’s Tiger and provide tips on how to play it on guitar.
1. Chord Progression:
The chord progression for Django’s Tiger follows a typical jazz format, with a series of ii-V-I progressions in different keys. The main key of the song is A minor, with the chords following this progression:
Am7 | D7 | Gmaj7 | Cmaj7 | F#m7b5 | B7 | Em7 | A7
2. Melody:
The melody for Django’s Tiger is played on the guitar using a combination of arpeggios, scales, and chromatic passages. The melody is typically played on the higher strings of the guitar to give it a bright and lively sound.
3. Chord Voicings:
When playing Django’s Tiger on the guitar, it’s important to use voicings that capture the essence of gypsy jazz. This typically involves using open strings, diminished chords, and other classic jazz voicings.
4. Gypsy Jazz Techniques:
To truly capture the spirit of Django’s Tiger, it’s important to incorporate some gypsy jazz techniques into your playing. This includes using the “rest stroke” technique for picking, playing fast arpeggios, and incorporating gypsy jazz ornaments such as trills and hammer-ons.
5. Improvisation:
One of the key aspects of playing gypsy jazz is the ability to improvise over the chord changes. When soloing over Django’s Tiger, try to incorporate elements of Django Reinhardt’s iconic style, such as fast runs, chromatic passages, and expressive bends.
6. Practice Tips:
To master Django’s Tiger on the guitar, it’s important to practice regularly and focus on different aspects of the song. Start by learning the chord progression and melody, then work on incorporating gypsy jazz techniques into your playing. Once you feel comfortable with the song, try to improvise and make it your own.
Overall, Django’s Tiger is a challenging yet rewarding piece to play on the guitar. By breaking down the chord progression, melody, and gypsy jazz techniques, you can learn to play this iconic jazz composition in the style of Django Reinhardt himself. Happy playing!
