Course Description

Six-hour video course
An in-depth study of Django's solo
The perfect guide to jazz improvisation

Django Reinhardt’s version of I’ll See You in My Dreams is a masterpiece. The way Django plays the melody is simply beautiful and his improvisation with repeating motifs is pure genius.

All of Django’s motifs in this solo are constructed inside a few very simple shapes on the fingerboard. That makes them very easy to understand and implement in your playing.

In this course, you’ll learn to play Django’s solo note by note with my proven “watch, listen and play” method. All you need is to grab your guitar and follow my instructions. You'll feel as though you had me sitting and playing right in front of you. The solo is divided into 38 simple, short and easy to remember musical sentences. Each sentence is a mini-lesson in itself, divided into four parts:

Part 1 - Watch, Listen and Play

I play the sentence with a slow metronome, four times, with a clear close-up of my fingers.
Listen to this part a few times, remember it so that you can sing it to yourself, try to catch as many of the notes as you can.  This will help you improve your musical ear, musical memory and your overall learning skills by watching and listening.

Part 2- Understand 

Here, you’ll learn to understand what Django plays. Most of the phrases in this solo are composed within a few simple shapes that repeat again and again. You’ll recognize the shapes that Django sees and learn to implement them in your playing, so you’ll be able to use them again and again in your improvisation.    

Part 3 - Note by Note

Now, you’ll learn the sentence extremely slowly, note by note. I repeat each few notes a few times and then add one or two new notes at a time, playing slowly. This way, you'll hardly need to rewind. You just pause to memorize each new note. (Fast learners can skip this part or fast forward it.)

Part 4 - Technique

Let's concentrate on your right hand now. You’ll make sure that your picking is accurate. Each phrase is transformed into an exercise in technique. You get the chance to improve your technique tremendously with this course.


Course curriculum

  • 01
    Chapter 1: Introduction (53 minutes)
    Show Content
    • 1.1 Why I'll See You in My Dreams
    • 1.2 Fingering (should you use 2 fingers like Django)
    • 1.3 Technique
    • 1.4 How to work through this course
    • 1.5 Harmonic analysis
    • 1.6 Accompaniment embellishments
    • 1.7 La Pompe accompaniment
    • 1.8 Lead-sheet PDF
    • 1.9 The intro (Let's start playing)
    • 1.9.1 Intro- chord shapes
    • 1.10 Complete Performance
    • 1.11 Play-along - medium tempo
    • 1.12 Play-along - regular tempo
  • 02
    Chapter 2: Chorus #1- Django's Interpretation of the Melody (51 minutes)
    Show Content
    • 2.1 Chorus 1 part 1
    • 2.2 Chorus 1 part 2 (bars 4-7)
    • 2.3 Chorus 1 parts 1-2
    • 2.4 Chorus 1 part 3 (bars 8-12)
    • 2.5 Chorus 1 part 4 (bars 13-16)
    • 2.6 Chorus 1 parts 3-4
    • 2.7 Chorus 1 parts 1-4 (first half)
    • 2.8 Chorus 1 part 5 (bars 17-19)
    • 2.9 Chorus 1 part 6 (bars 20-23)
    • 2.10 Chorus 1 parts 5-6
    • 2.11 Chorus 1 part 7 (bars 24-28)
    • 2.12 Chorus 1 part 8 (bars 31-32)
    • 2.13 Chorus 1 parts 7-8
    • 2.14 Chorus 1 parts 5-8 (second half)
    • 2.15 Chorus 1 complete - medium tempo
    • 2.16 Chorus 1 complete - fast tempo
  • 03
    Chapter 3: Chorus #2 (58 minutes)
    Show Content
    • 3.1 Chorus 2 part 1 (bars 1-4)
    • 3.2 Chorus 2 part 2 (bars 5-8)
    • 3.3 Chorus 2 parts 1-2
    • 3.4 Chorus 2 part 3 (bars 8-10)
    • 3.5 Chorus 2 part 4 (bars 10-16)
    • 3.6 Chorus 2 parts 3-4
    • 3.7 Chorus 2 parts 1-4 (first half)
    • 3.8 Chorus 2 part 5 (bars 17-21)
    • 3.9 Chorus 2 part 6 (bars 21-25)
    • 3.10 Chorus 2 parts 5-6
    • 3.11 Chorus 2 part 7 (bars 25-26)
    • 3.12 Chorus 2 part 8 (bars 27-28)
    • 3.13 Chorus 2 parts 7-8
    • 3.14 Chorus 2 part 9 (bars 29-32)
    • 3.15 Chorus 2 parts 5-9 (second half) - slow tempo
    • 3.16 Chorus 2 parts 5-9 (second half)- medium tempo
    • 3.17 Chorus 2 complete - medium tempo
    • 3.18 Chorus 2 complete - fast tempo
  • 04
    Chapter 4: Chorus #3 (83 minutes)
    Show Content
    • 4.1 Chorus 3 part 1 (bars 1-4)
    • 4.2 Chorus 3 part 2 (bars 5-8)
    • 4.3 Chorus 3 parts 1-2
    • 4.4 Chorus 3 part 3 (bars 9-10)
    • 4.5 Chorus 3 part 4 (bars 10-11)
    • 4.6 Chorus 3 parts 3-4
    • 4.7 Chorus 3 part 5 (bars 12-14)
    • 4.8 Chorus 3 part 6 (bars 15-17)
    • 4.9 Chorus 3 parts 5-6
    • 4.10 Chorus 3 parts 1-6 (first half)
    • 4.11 Chorus 3 part 7 (bars 17-20)
    • 4.12 Chorus 3 part 8 (bars 21-23)
    • 4.13 Chorus 3 parts 7-8
    • 4.14 Chorus 3 part 9 (bars 24-26)
    • 4.15 Chorus 3 part 10 (bars 26-29)
    • 4.16 Chorus 3 parts 9-10
    • 4.17 Chorus 3 part 11 (bars 29-33)
    • 4.18 Chorus 3 parts 7-11 (second half)
    • 4.19 Chorus 3 complete - medium tempo
    • 4.20 Chorus 3 complete - fast
  • 05
    Chapter 5: chorus #4 (60 minutes)
    Show Content
    • 5.1 Chorus 4 part 1 (bars 1-5)
    • 5.2 Chorus 4 part 2 (bars 5-8)
    • 5.3 Chorus 4 parts 1-2
    • 5.4 Chorus 4 part 3 (bars 9-14)
    • 5.5 Chorus 4 part 4 (bars 15-16)
    • 5.6 Chorus 4 parts 3-4
    • 5.7 Chorus 4 parts 1-4 (first half, slow)
    • 5.8 Chorus 4 parts 1-4 (first half, medium and fast)
    • 5.9 Chorus 4 part 5 (bars 17-21)
    • 5.10 Chorus 4 part 6 (bars 22-25)
    • 5.11 Chorus 4 parts 5-6
    • 5.12 Chorus 4 part 7 (bars 25-27)
    • 5.13 Chorus 4 part 8 (bars 27-28)
    • 5.14 Chorus 4 parts 7-8
    • 5.15 Chorus 4 part 9 (bars 29-30)
    • 5.16 Chorus 4 part 10 (bars 31-32- ending)
    • 5.17 Chorus 4 parts 9-10
    • 5.18 Chorus 4 parts 5-10 (second half)
    • 5.19 Chorus 4 complete- medium tempo
    • 5.20 Chorus 4 complete- fast
  • 06
    Chapter 6: Phrases (44 minutes)
    Show Content
    • 6.1 Why and how to learn phrases
    • 6.2 Major phrases with Maj7 and 6
    • 6.3 Major phrases with Maj7 and 6- PDF
    • 6.4 Major phrases - same triad shapes, different melodies
    • 6.5 Major phrases - same triad shapes, different melodies - PDF
    • 6.6 Major phrases - same triad shapes, different melodies #2
    • 6.7 Major phrases - same triad shapes, different melodies #2- PDF
    • 6.8 Turnaround - diminished over the tonic
    • 6.9 Turnaround - diminished over the tonic- PDF
    • 6.10 minor6
    • 6.11 Minor6- PDF
    • 6.12 Dom7 to minor
    • 6.13 Dom7 to minor
    • 6.14 Dom7 with b9
    • 6.15 Dominant 7 with 9
    • 6.16 Dominant 7 - PDF

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FAQ

  • Can I download the course to my computer and save it for life?

    Yes! The course is yours and you can use it as long as you wish! You can download it and you can watch it online.

  • I have never played a transcribed solo before. Can I really do it?

    Yes! You will learn this solo very slowly, note by note. Some of the phrases are very easy and others are harder. You will learn a lot from the easy phrases and be able to improvise with them already! Then you can go back to the harder parts and improve your technique slowly.

  • I am already an advanced player. What can I gain from this course?

    Lots: You'll learn faster by following my subdivisions for the solo AND You'll gain the skill and focus to play it very accurately AND you'll learn my insights about each phrase AND you'll see how to apply Django's ideas and improvisation structure to your solos. This is an advanced part of this course that will follow you for life. I still practice improvisation with Django's improvisation structures myself.

  • I am very busy. How much time should I devote to this course each day?

    If you only pick up your guitar once a month, it will take you a very long time to complete this course... Implementing new musical skills fast requires daily practice. However, you decide how long you can practice each day. 30 minutes has proven to be very efficient. Besides, this course is yours! You can get back to it whenever you like and each sentence of Django's is pure gold!

  • I have many of your courses. Will I learn something new?

    Yes! This course is packed with things that I am showing here for the first time and: 1- You'll learn to play this solo. 2- You'll learn how to organize your improvisation in structure, according to Django's structure.

  • What if I decide that this course is not for me?

    You will get a refund! You have my 30-day money back guarantee. Just send me an email and I will send you a full refund!

  • What kind of feedback can I get from Yaakov?

    There is a discussion in the course. I am always here to answer your questions. You can also upload your videos playing the course materials so I can see how you are doing and give you direct feedback.

  • Do the lessons work on tablet and smartphone?

    Yes! You can view the course from any device. You just need your email and password to sign in.

  • Playing

    Learn the solo note by note, divided into 38 short phrases that are easy to practice and remember. Add a beautiful piece of music to your repertoire!

  • Improvisation

    Improve your improvisation with simple to visualize shapes and motifs that Django uses in this solo and create your own "Django licks" by analyzing each phrase.

  • Technique

    Get a precise explanation of the technique to make sure you are implementing it properly and that nothing is holding you back from gaining the speed and flow you are yearning for.

Reviews

  • john mose

    “Magnificent ! Perfectly paced 👍”

    “Magnificent ! Perfectly paced 👍”

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  • David Brown

    “Hi Yaakov Thanks for your work on these courses — I have just signed up for the Arpeggios course, which I think should really help to fill in the gaps in my playing. I found the Magic of Triads course helpful. It gave me an initial insight i...”

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    “Hi Yaakov Thanks for your work on these courses — I have just signed up for the Arpeggios course, which I think should really help to fill in the gaps in my playing. I found the Magic of Triads course helpful. It gave me an initial insight into what was going on in improvisation. Even so, it seemed like a big jump to actually improvising. What I lacked was a real feel for the notes, patterns and rhythms to play. I didn’t seem to be able to produce anything worth listening to just from the triads! I tried learning a few GJ tunes note for note, but this still didn’t get me much further — it was more like learning pieces of classical music. The Minor Swing course seems to be helping me to overcome that problem. This is, I think, largely because of the way you have presented it. By focusing on short sections (‘sentences', as you call them) it allows me to get a much better idea of what’s going on, and how important the sixths and ninths are, and to recognise similar phrases in different contexts. So far I’ve just got through the intro and the first two choruses but at last I feel I am making some progress. I realised I would need at some point to relate the Django solos back to the underlying arpeggios, and was planning to come back to that later. Fortunately your Arpeggios course should make this much easier, as well as, as you say, improving my technique and my ‘flow’. I’m going to try to do 30 minutes or so from that course in parallel with the Minor Swing course. I see you have some suggestions at the end of the (Minor Swing) course for creating solos, so I’m hoping that by the time I get that far, and with a few more arpeggios, I should be able to apply these ideas. Thanks again for your good work and for communicating your expertise. David.”

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  • rick spence

    “ First solo chorus perfect. Nothing to add...”

    “ First solo chorus perfect. Nothing to add...”

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  • PJ PESCE

    “Learning the ideas behind the solo makes all the difference in the world. Yaakov is really an exceptional teacher who shows you how to apply these ideas in your own improvisation. ”

    “Learning the ideas behind the solo makes all the difference in the world. Yaakov is really an exceptional teacher who shows you how to apply these ideas in your own improvisation. ”

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  • Donna Radin

    “I love delving into Django's musical ingenuity while improving my own understanding and skills. Yaakov is a clear, accurate and inspiring guide leading a wonderful journey, which I'm still very much engaged in. The online live sessions were al...”

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    “I love delving into Django's musical ingenuity while improving my own understanding and skills. Yaakov is a clear, accurate and inspiring guide leading a wonderful journey, which I'm still very much engaged in. The online live sessions were also a great experience. Wishing you all a great experience with this. ”

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“My development as a guitarist due to the 32 lessons I took with Yaakov is much more than I had hoped for. Beyond learning just how to swing and how to play jazz songs, I can now improvise to any kind of music. Following all your tips...really works. Your approach hits the mark. Your generosity was always felt. Blessings to you. ”

Jai . C . SALT

“Yaakov is an absolutely brilliant teacher. His unique teaching method and style give a very effective mix of learning by doing and understanding. I can now play and learn, alone, at jam sessions and at workshops. Yaakov's lessons are so much fun; they excite my interest and hold it! I'm learning to play and learning to learn. ”

Donna Radin

“I had loads of classes with really wonderful professional players but nothing compares. The way Yaakov introduces you to Django's style is unique, very helpful and highly entertaining. I'd never have imagined to be able to pick it up in such a short time. Taking Yaakovs Gypsy Jazz course is like having a friend in your practicing room.”

Wolfgang eisenhuth

  • Fingering

    Learn how to play with two fingers to follow the way Django visualized his fingerboard and be inspired by his fingering.

  • Ear training

    Train your ears and increase your learning speed by learning the "Gypsy way"- with my proven "watch, listen and play" method.

  • Understand

    Understand everything that you play so you'll be able to use it again and again in any musical situation.

“I picked up books/tabs/dvd's and various courses. about 8 years had gone by and my playing was between beginner and intermediate and I practiced 4 hours a day! Then I stumbled upon Yaakov Hoter. WOW!!.. somebody who explained the Gypsy language better than ANYONE! If ONLY I had found this 8 years ago! Get lessons from YAAKOV, you will not regret it ”

Ian Randell

“I always talked about Django Reinhardt with admiration but never understood how he did it...time moves on and and I found Yaakov Hoters Gypsy Jazz courses. It is the best way to learn. Yaakov is a great teacher with great patience to teach you and to tell you the little secrets you need to know.”

Andrew Wells

“I'm a big fan of Django and Yaakov. I've bought a lot of lessons from his website and I've learnt a lot with them...All of them are very well organized and helpful. Easy to understand and come with a pdf explanation. Thank you very much Yaakov!! ”

Django Eddie