Django Reinhardt : Know the Man, Play the Music

The gypsy genius Django Reinhardt had a relatively short career - from the late 1920s to the early 1950s - but his reputation and influence have continued to grow since his death at the age of just 43.

Today there are ever-growing hordes of followers, all of whom wish to play Django style.

Django Reinhardt has never been more popular. The story Dave Gelly gets inside Django's life with this new and fresh look at the guitarist, from his early musical precocity, the accident in which he lost the full use of his left hand, the formation of the classic Hot Club de France band with Stephane Grappelli, and Reinhardt's subsequent development of a bebop-influenced style.

The guitar Django played a unique instrument, the Selmer Maccaferri, with many unusual and revolutionary features.

This portion of Django Style examines the construction of this legendary guitar as well as its influence on Reinhardt's tone and playing style.

The style At the heart of the book is this exhaustive analysis of the great man's technique, tone, and harmonic approach.

Just how did he do it with only two fingers? This is the ultimate Django masterclass. The CD Eight of Reinhardt's classic original recordings are included on the package's accompanying CD and these recordings are fully transcribed and analysed.

Each notated transcription is featured on its own spread and is accompanied by a detailed examination of structure, style and distinctive elements.

The CD also features newly recorded backing tracks without lead guitar for perfect practice sessions.