An Introduction to Gypsy Jazz Style Rhythm Guitar —Lesson

Features
By published

We’ve teamed up with Harry Edwards of StudyGypsyJazz.com to bring you a wonderful introduction to playing gypsy jazz style guitar.

Gypsy jazz guitar, otherwise known as “Jazz Manouche guitar,” is a style pioneered through the playing of the late Belgian-born guitarist and gypsy, Jean “Django” Reinhardt.

The playing of Django Reinhardt has inspired an entire sub-genre of jazz, one that is unmistakable in its hard swinging rhythm guitar and passionate lead improvisations.

Today, StudyGypsyJazz.com creator and instructor Harry Edwards guides you through an introduction to playing rhythm guitar in this distinct style.

Click here to watch a StudyGypsyJazz.com introduction video where you can learn more about the site’s offerings. To register as a student and get access to more high quality video gypsy jazz lessons and downloadable PDFs, visit StudyGypsyJazz.com today.

For now, pull up a seat, grab your acoustic, and let Edwards introduce you to the world of gypsy jazz!

The Importance & Role Of The Rhythm Guitar:

Introducing La Pompe - Strumming Hand Motion:

Acoustic Nation
Acoustic Nation

Acoustic Nation is written by Laura B. Whitmore, a music industry marketing veteran, music journalist and editor, who has contributed to Parade.com, Guitar World, and others. She has interviewed hundreds of musicians and hosts the She Rocks Podcast. As the founder of the Women’s International Music Network, she advocates for women in the music industry and produces the annual She Rocks Awards. She is the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Positive Grid, making the world safe for guitar exploration everywhere! A guitarist and singer/songwriter, Laura is currently co-writing an album of pop songs that empower and energize girls.

More about lessons
American songwriter, guitarist, lead vocalist and founding member of Metallica James Hetfield performs at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Pavillion in Chicago, IL on April 5, 1986.

Want to play Master of Puppets the right way? Here's how to get faster at downpicking so you can chug like James Hetfield
Joe Bonamassa [left] wears a deep blue suit and polka-dotted shirt and plays his green refin Strat; the late Irish blues legend Rory Gallagher [right] screams and inflicts some punishment on his heavily worn number one Stratocaster.

“The intensity of Rory’s guitar playing – the emotion, the sound and his incredible attack – was mindblowing for me”: Joe Bonamassa pays tribute to the late, great Irish blues-rock icon Rory Gallagher
Vicki Peterson

“Walk Like an Egyptian was so silly. But solid players have asked, ‘What are you playing at the end?’”: Vicki Peterson sees herself as “a bit of a hack player,” but she still made guitar-pop history with the Bangles – and guested with Tom Petty
See more latest
Most Popular
Vicki Peterson
“Walk Like an Egyptian was so silly. But solid players have asked, ‘What are you playing at the end?’”: Vicki Peterson sees herself as “a bit of a hack player,” but she still made guitar-pop history with the Bangles – and guested with Tom Petty
Eric Clapton performs onstage in London in 1989
“The concept of the guitar duel at the end was just appalling”: Crossroads is an essential piece of '80s guitar lore, but not every guitar legend was a fan of the film
Billy Rankin
“Zal is really nobody’s guitar hero. Fans say he’s the most underrated player ever; many guitarists rate him amongst the best... but I’ve never heard anyone call him their ‘guitar hero’”: Billy Rankin on lessons learned from the legendary Zal Cleminson
Yoyoyoshie of Otoboke Beaver performs on the Park Stage during day four of Glastonbury Festival 2024.
“I’m extremely honored. It reminded me that it’s important to stick to my own playing style”: Her fans include Dave Grohl, Jack White and Eddie Vedder, and she’s the face of Fender’s Hello Kitty campaign. Why Yoyoyoshie is Japan’s next great guitar hero
Joe Satriani wears futuristic wraparound shades and a leather jacket as he plays a solo on his Chrome Boy Ibanez signature guitar. His new 3rd Power Dragon amps are in the background.
“The three of us plugged into my Marshall, passing the cord around. The one thing Eric said to me was, ‘Wow, there is so much gain!’” Joe Satriani on reuniting with Eric Johnson and Steve Vai and the devil in the detail of Eddie Van Halen's playing
Plini performs at The Fillmore on January 30, 2020 in San Francisco, California.
“I like that their appearance intrigues non-guitar players and bothers old-fashioned people”: Despite early love from Eddie Van Halen and Allan Holdsworth, headless guitars became a punchline – yet in 2025, they’re more popular than ever. We found out why
The Chameleons perform live
“Once Dave got his Roland Space Echo, it changed the vibe… that, and a lot of marijuana”: They inspired everyone from Oasis to the Smashing Pumpkins. Now English post-punk luminaries the Chameleons are back for more
Andy Fairweather Low is suited and booted as he plays an archtop live during a 2022 UK festival appearance.
“When I worked with Eric Clapton, I thought I was getting fired every tour”: Andy Fairweather Low on his first gig, a beloved dumpster guitar find and the mistake he made with Roger Waters that he can never forget
Silktone guitar amp on carpet
“I got a long text message praising the amp and talking about tone. I’m like, ‘Holy crap… I think this is Joe Perry!’” Why Silktone’s tube amp range is rapidly gathering big-name fans
Mark Tremonti performs in Birmingham with his solo project, he is show from below on a stage lit up in orange and red and plays his PRS signature guitar.
“If I brought that to Alter Bridge, they’d look at me funny… I don’t know if they like speed metal as much as I do”: Mark Tremonti on finding an outlet for his metal cravings and why nothing beats PRS and Dumble amps