What are Django Chords? A Beginner’s Guide

Django chords refer to a set of guitar chords commonly used in the style of music created by the legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. These chords are unique in that they often use only two or three fingers and are played on the top four strings of the guitar. Django chords are known for their rich, jazzy sound and are a staple in the repertoire of any guitarist looking to play in the style of Django Reinhardt.
While Django chords can be challenging for beginners to learn, they are an essential part of any jazz guitarist’s toolkit. Learning to play these chords can take your playing to the next level, allowing you to create complex, sophisticated arrangements that will impress any audience. Whether you are an experienced guitarist looking to expand your repertoire or a beginner just starting out, mastering Django chords is an important step in becoming a skilled jazz guitarist.
Chords
If you’re learning to play guitar, you might have come across the term “Django chords.” Django chords refer to a set of beginner guitar chords that are commonly used in gypsy jazz music, a genre popularized by the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt.
Chords are a combination of two or more notes played together to create a harmonious sound. In gypsy jazz, chords are often played in a specific voicing, which means the notes are arranged in a particular order to create a specific sound.
In the case of Django chords, they are a set of six beginner guitar chords that are commonly used in gypsy jazz music. These chords are:
- Am6
- D9
- G6
- Bb6
- E7
- C6
These chords are known for their bright and jazzy sound and are often used in improvisation. They are relatively easy to play and are a great starting point for anyone interested in learning gypsy jazz guitar.
Chord voicings, on the other hand, refer to the way the notes of a chord are arranged. In gypsy jazz, chord voicings are often played in a specific way to create a unique sound. For example, the G6 chord can be played with the notes G, B, D, and E. However, in gypsy jazz, it is often played with the notes G, B, E, and A, which creates a brighter and more jazzy sound.
Django chords and chord voicings are an essential part of gypsy jazz guitar playing. Learning these chords can help you get started on your journey to becoming a skilled gypsy jazz guitarist.
Guitar
Django chords are a set of guitar chords that were popularized by the legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. These chords are commonly used in gypsy jazz and are a must-know for any aspiring jazz guitarist.
To play Django chords, you need to be familiar with the guitar fretboard. The chords are typically played on the first four frets of the guitar, and they make use of open strings to create a unique sound.
One of the great things about Django chords is that they are relatively easy to play, even for beginners. The chords are typically played with three or four fingers, and they are easy to move up and down the fretboard.
If you’re just starting out with Django chords, it’s a good idea to practice playing them slowly and accurately. Start with just a few chords and work your way up to more complex chord progressions.
Django chords are an essential part of any jazz guitarist’s repertoire. They are easy to play, sound great, and can be used in a wide variety of musical contexts. So if you’re looking to expand your guitar skills and learn something new, give Django chords a try!
Injury
Django Reinhardt, the legendary jazz guitarist, was involved in a fire accident when he was 18 years old. As a result of the accident, he suffered severe burns that left his left hand disfigured. His third and fourth fingers on his left hand were curled permanently into his palm and were not used for soloing. However, he had a limited ability to fret high notes in chords.
Despite his injury, Django Reinhardt went on to become one of the most influential guitarists in jazz history. He developed a unique technique that allowed him to play complex solos and chords with just two fingers. This technique involved using his index and middle fingers to play the guitar, while his injured fingers were used to mute the strings.
Django’s injury forced him to develop a new style of playing, which became known as “Gypsy Jazz.” This style of music is characterized by its fast-paced, virtuosic solos and intricate chord progressions. Django’s unique playing style and his contributions to the development of Gypsy Jazz have made him an icon in the world of jazz music.
In recent years, researchers have analyzed archive photographs of Django’s injuries to construct a three-dimensional computer model of his hand. This research has shed new light on how Django was able to play the guitar despite his injury. It has also inspired many musicians to explore new techniques and styles of playing the guitar.
Django
Django is a style of jazz that originated in France in the 1930s and 1940s. It is characterized by its fast tempo, intricate melodies, and improvisation. The style is named after the famous jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, who is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
Django’s music is known for its unique chord progressions and use of arpeggios. Django chords are often complex and difficult to play, but they create a rich and full sound that is distinctively Django.
To play Django chords, it is important to have a good understanding of music theory and be comfortable with fingerpicking. Some common Django chords include the A6, Bb6, C6, D6, E6, and F6 chords. These chords are often played in a specific order to create the intricate melodies that are characteristic of Django’s music.
Django’s music has had a significant impact on jazz and guitar playing. Many guitarists have been influenced by Django’s unique style, including Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, and Eric Clapton. Django’s music continues to be popular today, and many guitarists continue to study and play his music.
Django is a unique and complex style of jazz that is characterized by its intricate melodies and use of complex chord progressions. Django chords are an important part of this style and are essential for anyone who wants to play Django’s music.
History
The Django chords are named after the legendary Belgian-born French guitarist and composer Django Reinhardt. He is the pioneer of gypsy jazz, a musical style that blends traditional Romani music and swing jazz. Django Reinhardt was born in 1910 and began playing guitar at a young age. He was a self-taught musician who developed his unique style by listening to records and playing along with them.
In 1934, Django Reinhardt formed the Quintette du Hot Club de France with Stephane Grappelli, a French jazz violinist. The Quintette became famous for their unique sound, which was characterized by Django’s guitar playing and Stephane’s violin. Django Reinhardt’s playing style was heavily influenced by Romani music, and he often used unusual chord progressions and arpeggios in his compositions.
One of Django Reinhardt’s most famous compositions is “Minor Swing,” which he wrote with Stephane Grappelli in 1937. The song is a perfect example of Django’s unique style, with its unusual chord progressions and fast-paced arpeggios. “Minor Swing” has become a classic of gypsy jazz and is still played by musicians all over the world today.
the Django chords are an essential part of gypsy jazz and are still used by musicians today to create the unique sound that Django Reinhardt pioneered almost a century ago.






