Minor Swing, Part 1: Melody and Chords

from: Swing and Jazz Mandolin with Joe K. Walsh

This lesson is part of the course Swing and Jazz Mandolin with Joe K. Walsh.

Get immediate access to this lesson and all of the lessons in this course when you subscribe.

Start Course
Browse Courses

About This Course

Learn to play swing and jazz melodies and classic solos from jazz legends like Lester Young, Miles Davis, and Django Reinhardt, as well as swing mandolinists like Tiny Moore and Jethro Burns. For each song, you’ll learn the melody and a solo, along with tips on technique, phrasing, and improvisation.

Try a Sample Lesson

Minor Swing

Django’s solo on the original 1937 recording of “Minor Swing” is spectacular. You’ll learn the first 32 bars of the solo (two choruses). Joe walks you through the first chorus in this video.

Try a sample lesson

The Swing and Jazz Mandolin Subscription Includes:

Transcriptions of solos by Lester Young, Miles Davis, Django Reinhardt, Tiny Moore, Jethro Burns, Don Stiernberg, Paul Glasse, and more
Advice on soloing and improvising
Chord and arpeggio theory and practice exercises
New lessons added every month
High-quality video with multiple camera angles so you can see close-ups of both hands in action
Detailed notation and tab for each lesson
Play-Along Track videos and audio downloads so you can play along with Joe

$20/Month For One Course

Additional courses only $10/month each! • Save 20% with an annual subscription

Start Course

Get started now!
Use promo code JoeLand at checkout

and get your first month free or $20 off an annual subscription.

Minor Swing

Minor Swing, Part 1: Melody and Chords

Minor Swing, Part 2: Django Solo, First Chorus

Minor Swing, Part 3: Django Solo, Second Chorus

Minor Swing, Part 4: Django Solo, 70% Play-Along Track

Minor Swing, Part 5: Rhythm Play-Along Track

Minor Swing, Part 1: Melody and Chords

“Minor Swing” is one of the most popular tunes recorded by Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grapelli, and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, and Django’s spectacular solo on the original 1937 recording of “Minor Swing” is a classic. In this video, you’ll learn the intro to “Minor Swing” and the chord progression.

“Minor Swing” Notation/Tab (Available to subscribers)

Previous Lesson

← Arpeggios and Closed-Position Scales, Part 3: Closed Scale Patterns

Next Lesson

Minor Swing, Part 2: Django Solo, First Chorus →

Previous Lesson

← Arpeggios and Closed-Position Scales, Part 3: Closed Scale Patterns

Next Lesson

Minor Swing, Part 2: Django Solo, First Chorus →

Previous Lesson

← Arpeggios and Closed-Position Scales, Part 3: Closed Scale Patterns

Next Lesson

Minor Swing, Part 2: Django Solo, First Chorus →

Mandolin Articles

Jake Howard and Grant Flick: "Morning Breaks" | Northfield Mandolins

An instrumental duet played on a pair of Northfield Archtop and Flattop Octave Mandolins.

Charlie Torch: “Red Rocking Chair”

Peghead Nation fiddle instructor Chad Manning plays a traditional song with his band that includes siblings Jasper and Jayda Manning, Tyler Stengall, and Mark Schatz.

Minor Swing, Part 1: Melody and Chords

About This Course

Mandolin Articles

Mandolin Videos