Are there any suggested strings to get that gypsy jazz tone?

It’s Q&A time next Monday. Anybody got anything that hey want help with? Let me know in the comments?

Wow this is a really tough one. It seems to follow the structure that a lot of early jazz tunes do, where it’s a number of different sections all with a melody that’s improvised around throughout rather than just head/solo/head. Really based on ragtime. I’m learning this 1927 version to play at a gig in a few months. Lots to work on here!

Last week I played a gig at a local place. I spent the first half really not enjoying my own playing By the second half I was warmed up but I still didn’t come away happy as a whole. I have been practising a lot, as well as thinking a lot about jazz playing because of all the things I do on here. We often think that if we practise lots, we will start to feel the benefits at least some time in the near future. It isn’t the case for me and I think I know why. It’s answered in part because a few days later I listened back to some recordings and actually thought I sounded great. The more we practise, the better our ear gets, we get more attuned to mistakes because that’s what good practice entails, listening to yourself and critiquing your playing in order to make it better. Also our standards go up instantly, we know what we are trying to achieve more and become focused on a goal. None of the above is conducive to letting go and being free, which is what jazz playing is really all about. That isn’t to say that the practice isn’t working or even that it isn’t making you better in the short term. I found that out when listening back. But going hard on the practise at home makes your perception shift and become hyper critical. Note to self, and all of you. Be kind to yourself, you sound a lot better than you think. Great to meet some new faces today at the practise club. All the recordings and exercises we worked on are in the Classroom in their various courses now. Matt

It’s a common path; Play violin. Hear Grappelli. Get into Jazz Etc etc Interested to hear people’s paths that differ from this to some degree. I’d say I fall pretty much into the Grappelli camp but have ended up all over the place now when it comes to the styles I play and listen to.