Description
In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play both the melody and rhythm parts to an old fiddle tune called, “Gypsy Waltz”. At a recent jam session, someone introduced this song to me by playing it on the fiddle and I thought it would work really well as a guitar melody. Pay attention to all of the little nuances that can enhance your lead playing. Most of this will be in the G minor scale (which I’ll explain).
Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson
Part 2 - Lead (Melody) - For Premium Members
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Part 3 - Rhythm Lesson - For Premium Members
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Slow Walk-Through
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Video Tablature Breakdown
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…straight into the favourites box!
sweet. Thanks Brian.
Very atmospheric . Puts me in mind of a film theme.
Added to the too do list.
Nice one Brian
George
A lovely variation Brian thank you. I shall look forward to learning this delightful tune. John Strat
Sort of a “haunting” melody. It started country but moved in the Morticia Adams zone pretty quickly.
Cool though!
Wow, I was not expecting that! I’m trying to think how many songs I know with 3/4 time, and the answer so far is: none. But now I’ll have at least one.
Thanks Brian , I always enjoy your music.
Hey Brian,
This is great. But while listening to this it reminded me of the soundtrack music played in the movie Hunt For Red October. Similar to the russian national anthem. Watch the movie. You will see what I mean. Love it. Good music.
Thanks,
Telemaster
I love this one too! Super catchy, can’t get out of my head, and this one is super easy too! Definitely going into my list of favs!
Thanks teach!
A really haunting melody. Wouldn’t it be great if we could develop an arrangement for guitar solo which was freestanding?
Brilliant as Always Brian!Love the Sophisticated Simplicity!!
The Variety of your Lessons and Hard Work You do, Putting it all together, is Outstanding!!
Barry
Sounds like something Knopfler would play with the Notting Hillbillies. Great stuff.
Nice!
Very nice, and quite unexpected, too ! Love the variety and clearness of your lessons. Look forward to practice this one.
It reminds me some old tom waits’ theme …very cool
Me thinks somewhere a little Dire straights and little pink Floyd.. nicely transcribed.. guess this is 3) Phrygian mode .. flatted third note in major scale would make it minor in the key of Gm..? anyway nice one to practice!
Another great lesson Brian. Thanks! And nice to see that your pick matches your short in color!!!
A lovely tune. Easy to remember, so I hope i find it just as easy to play?? That I would think, is doubtful unfortunately, but I will certainly give it a go. Thanks Brian, for another helpful lesson.
My ear had to get used to Gypsy Waltz; now I really love it and it plays over and over in my mind.
Brian, Reminds me of a Russian Gypsy Waltz called ‘Dark Eyes’ that I tried to learn over a year ago but seemed too hard for my skill level. The way you brake it down really helps. My Russian friends said I would be a big hit with the Russians if I learned this folk song and alway ask me if I’ve learned it yet. Now I have something to play for them. Thanks so much, Eric
Beautyful, makes me weeping.
Love this lesson. Would like it even more if there were a jam track that had no guitar on it. That way I could build both rhythm and lead over it. But that’s a quibble. Perhaps something to think about in the future when you do a lesson that features both rhythm and lead parts.
I added this for you, good call – there’s now a version with no guitar (the last one). You may need to refresh the page for it to show up.
Hi Brian
Great lesson. Which blues lead course are you refering to at 4:50 ish that explains the pentatonic scale shapes in more detail.
You really are helping to fill in the missing gaps in my music theory
cheers Dave
You can access under My Account > My Courses
Woah thanks Brian exactly what I was looking for.
And exactly what I needed to know when the accomplished bass player suggests a 12 bar blues jam in various keys thats 1 audition I never heard back from ouch.
This lead actually has a lot in common with the lead from Dire Straits’ “Brothers in Arms”. Not at first glance but it uses the same natural minor/blues scales and some of the licks are similar. Very good lesson, thanks!
Oh yes! That one’s a keeper. Forces the mind in a different direction. Thanks!
we are having an exceptional run of excellent lesson’s at the moment , are we in a period of renaissance lol .great explanation of G minor pentatonic with additional notes from the minor scale for the different feel.
This song reminds me of a movie with Rita Hayworth playing a smoking hot, dagger wielding gypsy. Kind of cheesy but RH ,whoa!
Mike
I love this, again way beyond a blues in many ways.
Thanks, Brian, your range is amazing. Have you also considered swamp blues (for example, along the lines of Polk Salad Annie by Tony Joe White)?
Love it, love it!!! Would like more. Beautiful.
Absolutely stunning…that was really something to hear and to watch…you are blessed
Great lesson!
I saw where Winslow L. Hayden is the author of the tune. He lived in Boston in the late 1800’s and mostly wrote music for guitar.
Hi Brian,
Great lesson. Can’t stop playing it over and over!
awesome I am looking forward to learning this and putting my twist on it . I always enjoy your lessons
Great stuff ! Love that “different stuff” . More of that please !
Nice “melancholy” feel……I like it. Brian-I really enjoy your lessons. I know most of your stuff is original-but its also cool when you do stuff like this. You “break stuff down” a LOT better than most guitar teachers, with good thorough explanations. I think some lessons from you (YOUR take) on some classics would be cool. Like what you did for Key to the Highway. Some suggestions in that vein: Before you Accuse Me, Tore Down, Dust my Broom, Sweet Home Chicago, Johnnie B Good, Blue Suede Shoes, Mystery Train, etc. Its also cool when you occasionally do a more basic and more advanced version. There are lots of guitar teachers on the internet-but only a couple that are my “go-to” and you are definitely it.
Great tune, thanks Brian. As always, but this one stands out. Nice to work on also. Dave O.
What a beautiful haunting melody. I can’t wait to dive into this one. Unfortunately I had knee replacement surgery recently. My guitar is on the wall above my bed beckoning but I’m not quite ready to bring it down.
Well done on this tune Brian. Bravo
Super! If an opportunity opens up I’d love to see what you also considered at bars 19, 20 and 21 for the Gm.
GYPSY WOMAN TOLD MY MOMMA
BEFORE I WAS BORN
YOU GOTS A BOY-CHILD COMIN
GONNA BE A SON OF A GUN
Oh great tune love it . Thanks Brian. Everything you do is so clear and easy to understand even for a complete novice like me. Nothing gets done around the house anymore, my guitar comes FIRST
I have played professionally most of my life starting at age 14. We were hired in the summer of 63 to be the backup band for Roy Orbison during his tour in Oregon. I took several years off from music and raised a family. My wife and I now own an INN in Elkton, Oregon…35 miles from the Coast on the Umpqua River…and I am again playing music. I found Brian and Active Melody’s on You tube and knew immediately I wanted to use his knowledge to further my music….Brian you are a great teacher and I really enjoy your spin on the guitar. I recommend this site to anyone who wants to learn music in a very orderly manner where foundations are built that will support furthering your knowledge.
James
Hi…..I really loved Lesson 154 …Gypsy Waltz…..do you think you can do some similar lessons. it just has such a unique sound . Thanks and I love the lessons.
I tried this several months ago and have returned to it recently. Just discovered the video tab technology works . I love it .. was watching a you tube clip of the peter green scale. Is this a real scale or ……….. any way thank you.
Is there any chance of some Peter Green inspired lessons.
Having joined recently this is a strong favourite of mine and I am determined to make it my first completed number.
Love this little ditty, please if you come across more gems like this include in your lessons I like it because I need to use a pick (been focusing solely on fingerstyle, need to include a pick in my routine) and it’s waltz time, which I love and would like to have more of in my repertoire.
Took me awhile to master the timing on bars 22-25, but it’s in my head now.
I love this wee tune… This is my first week with Active Melody and I started with EP211 and almost have that down.. this one was a breeze, I’m now working on the timing.. I am self taught and I missed out on all the basics, I love the way your lessons are taught I love your style of playing and teaching.. Thank you so much Brian you are helping me tremendously… Cheers !!!
Playing this for family members nice little tune Micky light from the Isle of Wight England
Thank you for introducing me to this song. It really is a great song, with a really nice mood. In addition it was really easy and fun to learn.
What a great in-the-vaults find. Another Gypsy jazz lesson would be fantastic! I really enjoy the ragtime jazz lessons and a Django-like tune that could be played by us mere mortals would be awesome.
I play this on the fiddle. Nice to have a guitar version. Good job. Thanks