What does the term "Comping" mean in reference to Jazz guitar?
45 years playing and still rubbish.
"Comping" means supplying the harmonic structure of the song. Basically it's just playing the changes with the occassional little fill, but leaving the melody to the vocalist or a soloist.
The ability to be good at comping comes from really understanding how the melody and harmony fit together, and picking appropriate chord voicings and using voice leading creatively.
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." -- HST
I appreciate that. I can understand that in jazz it is a lot more involved than just playing the chords along with the song. Thanks.
45 years playing and still rubbish.
