My L’Esprit Manouche book has finally arrived from France. I can’t speak a lick of French, but I intend to learn. At the moment I can pick out about 50% of the meaning in a paragraph, and I guess thats barely enough to pick through and learn a little.
The book is amazing. I have spend the last 6 months playing around with the Robin Nolan books, and this book seems to be the perfect compliment. Where the Robin Nolan book teaches rhythm mostly, and basic heads and melodies of gypsy jazz standards, the Romane book picks up from there and finally explains in detail, the method of true improvisation.
Without this book, learning to play this music could be futile, unless you are truly talented. I’m looking forward to spending time with this book, learning some french, and a few new songs written by Romane.