Top 5 Accompanying tips (comping)

Comping is a great way to improve jazz feel and swing. It also allows us to learn the true personality of a tune - the chord progression. In this lesson, I'll show you my top 5 comping tips to get you sounding authentic.

00:00 Top 5 tips for Comping
01:27 Keep the hands together (rhythmically)
02:55 Blend in with the band
04:30 Lose the pedal
05:44 Differentiate between 2s and walking
08:51 Pushes and lates

[coloaten]

Brilliant. This is one of those videos that nobody else is doing, which makes it even more valuable!

[gabrielvladimirdavis]

Super video, wish you would make more videos on comping with maybe baby steps exercises to add some movement. Thanks for the best jazz instruction on YouTube hands down!

[esmeraldabernardeli]

I've been struggling to learn how to comp jazz for YEARS and now that I finally found your channel it brings me hope that I'll be able to understand the art of comping. Thanks for the awesome video!

[francesca]

Love your style, both musically and interpersonally. Very clear, calm delivery with great examples. Learned a lot - thank you!

[Gaglias]

The first tip was something definitely I needed to hear. Hands together. Makes so much sense.

[morejazzplz]

The fact that these videos dont have 100x as many views is proof the algorithm is bad for educational content

[CHYPCAR]

The perfect hangover cure after my birthday party yesterday - a comping lesson! Thanks Shan - you’ve started my day with a smile.

[kennethsardella]

Thanks from a guitarist! Got some great perspective on the comping skills I’ve been working on AND some insight into the pianist (really great player) I’m so fortunate to sit in with regularly.

[jackwilloughby]

One of the things I struggle with, because I use Comping to both learn the Lyrics & Sing the Melody is not voicing the Melody note on top and avoid doubling any chromatic tones in the melody that get written into the chord symbol, at least on the head anyway. Good lesson! I've been through Frank Mantooth's book and Jeb Patton's book from Sher. One was too static and the other too dense. They both leave out the comping style of Bebop players like Al Haig which is how I want to play. There's just a missing link.

[RobertS-unpe]

Thank you for your very interesting lesson. It opens new horizons and it really helps.

[ivettamelkumyan]

Every word is precious! Many thanks!!!

[chrisfazio]

I just discovered your channel. Fantastic stuff! I’m upping my jazz piano game thanks to practicing along with your lessons. Thanks for sharing what you’ve learned!

[robinmarwick]

Excellent video Shan...really helpful, thanks.

[gregoryspencerflaggregore]

I like this a lot. Is there something I can watch that explains harmony voicings with vocalists? Like, should your highest not not be what the vocals are doing? Thanks

[Komatik_]

I've actually been looking for tips on how to comp in the "how not to do it" style. One of the things I've been missing from guitar is that kind of full and lively sound. It's so simple on a guitar when you can just alter the stroke. Really want a similar vibe for the piano but like 90% of comping tutorials are "here's how to hit those understated jazz chords".

[deaconblues]

Thanks!
This is what I would love to learn more than anything.
I am not interested too much in single not lines and licks.

I just love listening to the guys who hold down those cool chords
in the background.

[AlecKatz]

Really nice and very well represented. I like the outro too :)
Keep going!

[JohnWilson-ruxd]

Brilliant video really well explained!

[colincupido]

A real patient educator! Thanks! By the way what software do you use in your video.

[jackkellyKMM]

Great content. However you need to balance to audio levels to a standard (such as -14 LUFS). As it is, the ad content is about 300% LOUDER than your voice content.