Lollo Meier
One-to-one tuition

We are pleased to provide feedback from the tuition provided by QuecumBar patron Lollo Meier at his home in Holland. Click here to find out more about this fantastic opportunity to learn gypsy jazz from a true master.

Our thanks go to those below who took the time to write these reviews.

August 2004: review by Alexis Nonis

My time spent learning from Lollo at his home was the very important stepping stone - I have been waiting a long time to progress anywhere at all with this music. I advise anyone who wants to learn the true (Gypsy Sinti Manouche) way to pay a visit to Lollo as he will definitely set you on the right path.

September 2004: review by Steve Aston

I spent four enjoyable and enlightening days at Lollo Meier's home. Besides the fact you are in the company of some lovely people and, I must add, eating some great food (especially breakfast) you get a fascinating insight into the sometimes perplexing world of gypsy jazz guitar. Lollo is an encyclopaedia of this style and can easily break down whatever it is you are looking for within your own playing due to his own handed-down knowledge from none other than his close relative the great Fapy Lafertin. On my return I felt more confident about my playing, I felt I really had learnt something and I recommend to anybody taking this music seriously to do the same.

October 2004: review by Diego Parada Suàrez

I had great time with Lollo and his family. They are a lovely family and Susan, Lollo's wife is a great cook; the caravan supplied while you are staying with them is amazing.

In my first class with Lollo we worked on my rhythm, which is very important for this style and looking for the bass as Django plays. If you are thinking about "la pompe" - I mean the Strasbourg rhythm as Tchavolo, Hono Wintestain etc play - Lollo does not use that style of rhythm but he plays Django's rhythm, so it is great to learn it with Lollo.

After concentrating on the rhythm we played together and he taught me how he makes his solosÉ he tries to make different variations on the melody just as Django used to do.

Don't try to understand the why of his playing; he's a gypsy as Django... I mean gypsies can't tell you: "I play the 3 because it is the dominant of the second chord..." No!! they learnt to play with their ears and with the rest of the gypsies, which is their life and their tradition - learning Django's lines and the way Django played.

He gave me some very useful exercises for my wrists so that I become better in my rhythm. We worked the rest of the time on specific things: turn arounds, which arpeggio did Django use in this solo in Django's Tiger, etc - a lot of stuff to practise this winter because I recorded all the sessions on some cassettes.

It's great to go and stay with Lollo because he knows the real Django's playing: very sweet and very melodic. You can ask him all the things you want; he's a great guy and player. If you need exercises or the gypsy way with the right hand ask him - he can show you many things to make your playing better.

I really enjoyed my time with him and his family and learnt so much it was well worth going to visit with him and a very valuable lesson, especially having the time together alone to concentrate on everything. I plan to go back next year.