Jazz Comping Chords – How To Play Two Handed Comping Chords (Rootless)

/Steve Nixon/
Steve Nixon

Steve Nixon

View All Author's Posts
| Last Updated:
May 17, 2016

When I was first learning jazz I searched for a long time trying to find a good book or a method to learn how to comp in a jazz rhythm section.

Sadly, there isn’t a ton of information out there on this subject.

How To Comp

It’s vitally important for everybody to learn how to comp behind another soloist.  In my opinion you get most of your gigs based off how good you make others sound! (video lesson below)

I wanted to help you all get started on this journey in an easier way than I had to learn. (Sitting for countless hours transcribing Miles Davis.

Now, there is an awesome transcription software program available but I didn’t have that when I was first learning.)

None the less, I think you’ll enjoy this new video lesson I just made. I’m going to teach you how to comp using two handed jazz chord voicings.

I play a couple choruses on the blues and then I break down every voicing I play.  Good luck with it and let me know what you think!

Bonus: Here’s a free MP3 of the jazz blues track I play on top of.  Bb Blues

Update: Here’s an even newer lesson that really breaks down how to play these types of jazz comping chords. In addition, we apply to the jazz tune Autumn Leaves.

*****

Did you enjoy this lesson?  Please let us know by leaving a comment. Be sure to also subscribe to the free jazz lessons email list and join the fastest growing jazz education community on the internet!

Posted in , , , , , ,

Steve Nixon

With a career spanning global tours and collaborations with legends like B.B. King and Buddy Guy, Steve Nixon is more than just a Berklee-trained pianist. He’s a bridge-builder for the next generation of musicians. As the founder of Freejazzlessons.com, Steve turns his performance experience into accessible education, reaching over 70,000 students each month. He’s on a mission to keep the soul of jazz and blues alive in a world where music budgets are shrinking. Read Steve's full bio here.

19 Comments

  1. Anonymous on December 24, 2011 at 4:46 am

    Finally !!!! You have no idea how long i’ve been looking for something like this…and for free too!!!! Thanx!!!

    Reply
    • freejazzlessons on December 24, 2011 at 9:22 am

      Glad you’re enjoying the material!

      Reply
    • Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons) on January 11, 2012 at 4:46 am

      Thanks for your comments derhenno.  It was a lot of fun making this video!

      Reply
      • AzuDan on May 12, 2014 at 6:32 pm

        Hello bro please let the exercise or video be written too on the staff, I mean transcribed. Thanks. You are doing a great job .

        Reply
        • Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons) on May 12, 2014 at 6:51 pm

          Thanks Dan! Glad to hear you’re enjoying the lessons. Some of the free lessons are transcribed on the site. If you like seeing everything notated, all of the lessons inside the Premium Membership Course freejazzlessons.wpsc.dev/premium are notated. Thanks.

          Reply
  2. Anonymous on February 9, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    Good lessons, thank you. I would really like to see a montuno lesson when you have time.

    Reply
  3. moody on March 22, 2012 at 7:10 am

     Thanks a lot! It’s seems to be so ease when somebody explain it properly! You are doing a great job, thanks again!

    Reply
    • Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons) on March 22, 2012 at 2:11 pm

      No problem.  It’s was a fun lesson to teach and to share 🙂

      Reply
      • moody on March 23, 2012 at 10:29 am

        Is this strategy suitable for another kind of chord progression or only for blues based on 7-th? Can we use this strategy for II-V-I progression?
        Thanks a lot for your answer.
        P.S.: sorry for my English:)

        Reply
        • Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons) on March 23, 2012 at 10:51 am

          You can apply the chord anywheres they will fit including II-V-I’s.

          Reply
          • moody on March 23, 2012 at 11:03 am

            I’ll try 🙂
            Thank you!



  4. Brian on July 9, 2012 at 11:07 am

    Excellent video, Steve!!!  Thank you so much for generously sharing your talents. The world needs more people like you!!

    Reply
    • Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons) on July 9, 2012 at 1:42 pm

      Very cool of you to say Brian. This is one of my favorite lessons on the site and glad you enjoy it. Cheers! 

      Reply
  5. Yuramarca on July 15, 2012 at 10:16 am

    such a great jazz piano lesson. Thanks a lot !

    Reply
  6. Glenn Michael on September 22, 2012 at 4:24 pm

    Great lesson Steve. Would you happen to have a PDF on this? Thank you in advance. 🙂

    Reply
  7. rahul on August 7, 2016 at 2:03 am

    That was a wonderful tutorial for the beginners like me. Thanks a lot Stieve.

    Reply

Leave a Comment