Two note comping?

[Doug B]

I'm 70 years old now and have some arthritis in my left hand. Is there any reason why I can't use mostly two note comping? (Mainly using a Guild X170 AB)

Thanks

Doug

[Mick-7]

Sure, but why not 3 notes? Very little difference execution wise and you can include another chord tone such as an altered note - just playing the 3rd/7th chord tones can get very boring.

[mr. beaumont]

Well, the 2 notes he plays don't have to be just the 3rd and 7th...

And of course, not comping, but I'd like to invite Doug over to the Summer of Rhythm guitar...

[Mick-7]

Well, the 2 notes he plays don't have to be just the 3rd and 7th... And of course, not comping, but I'd like to invite Doug over to the Summer of Rhythm guitar...

Yes, I should have said just the essential chord tones, 3rd/7th, 3rd/6th or whatever, but I'm sure it could work. My main point was that I wouldn't think that 3 notes would be any harder on the arthritic hand than 2 notes, at least if they weren't spread out, think of all you can do with just octaves?

[mr. beaumont]

Yes, I should have said just the essential chord tones, 3rd/7th, 3rd/6th or whatever, but I'm sure it could work. My main point was that I wouldn't think that 3 notes would be any harder on the arthritic hand than 2 notes, at least if they weren't spread out, think of all you can do with just octaves?

Agreed...a few very simple shapes on strings 4/3/2...can cover a lot of ground.

But of course, could pare those down to two...

The big thing is whatever keeps Doug pain free and playing.

[Doug B]

Sure, but why not 3 notes? Very little difference execution wise and you can include another chord tone such as an altered note - just playing the 3rd/7th chord tones can get very boring.

3 notes would be fine if on adjacent strings. Most others would be too great a stretch for my poor fingers.

Doug

[Doug B]

Thanks, Jeff, I'll go have a look at Summer of Rhythm

Doug

[Doug B]

but I'd like to invite Doug over to the Summer of Rhythm guitar...

Thanks for the invite, but I don't quite get what that thread is supposed to be about and what I am supposed to get out of it for my arthritis/smaller chords. Is it players posting recordings of some rhythm guitar? How to play rhythm guitar, Theory, Or? Or?

Maybe it's just early days for the thread?


Doug

[JimmyDunlop]

Thanks for the invite, but I don't quite get what that thread is supposed to be about and what I am supposed to get out of it for my arthritis/smaller chords. Is it players posting recordings of some rhythm guitar? How to play rhythm guitar, Theory, Or? Or?

Maybe it's just early days for the thread?


Doug

I didnt get your question. You mean you cant play 2 notes comping cause of hand problems or if 2 notes comping Is a good or bad choice? If its the latter, then no problem cause you can use It.

[Doug B]

I didnt get your question. You mean you cant play 2 notes comping cause of hand problems or if 2 notes comping Is a good or bad choice? If its the latter, then no problem cause you can use It.

No, because of my arthritis I find it hard to play more than 2-3 chord tones at one time. Of course barres are definitely out. I was wanting to know if I could play effective comping using 2-3 notes.

[JimmyDunlop]

No, because of my arthritis I find it hard to play more than 2-3 chord tones at one time. Of course barres are definitely out. I was wanting to know if I could play effective comping using 2-3 notes.

Yes. You can definetely use 2.

[Ahz]

I've been going through a ZZ Top phase recently, and Billy Gibbons manages to cover a whole lot of sonic territory using double stops and such. I'm trying to incorporate more of that into my own comping as well. I'm sure it would make it easier to avoid stepping on the toes of others in a band setting or session
Go for it!

[mr. beaumont]

Thanks for the invite, but I don't quite get what that thread is supposed to be about and what I am supposed to get out of it for my arthritis/smaller chords. Is it players posting recordings of some rhythm guitar? How to play rhythm guitar, Theory, Or? Or?

Maybe it's just early days for the thread?


Doug

Late getting back to you--

It's just about Freddie Green style rhythm guitar, which is a great way to provide accompaniment-- even with only one note.

[frabarmus]

even with only one note.

Like a walking bass line?

[Doug B]

Late getting back to you--

It's just about Freddie Green style rhythm guitar, which is a great way to provide accompaniment-- even with only one note.

Thanks, Jeff.

Doug

[mr. beaumont]

Like a walking bass line?

No, more like a tenor line-- 4th string only!

[Doug B]

Like Tiny Grimes sometimes?

Doug

[JazzPadd]

I’ve gotten inspiration for this by listening to Jim Hall’s minimalist comping. I think it was for Sonny Rollins, with no piano. He would use 2 notes to comp, hinting at chords, and it wasn’t only typical shell voicings. Almost like lines, using intervals hitting the upper extensions, 2nds, 3rds, 5ths, etc. From a certain angle, it’s almost liberating.

[mr. beaumont]

Like Tiny Grimes sometimes?

Doug

For sure, maybe more two notes for Tiny, but on those inside strings...or I suppose for Tiny, his lower strings...

Here's some well recorded Freddie Green...a lot of one note "chords" here. This is what I'm after.

[Doug B]

For sure, maybe more two notes for Tiny, but on those inside strings.

Here's some well recorded Freddie Green...a lot of one note "chords" here. This is what I'm after.

Thanks, Jeff. I found a digital download on 7Digital.com of the recording. For a start I like that kind of music. I'll see what I can hear that I can use.

I'm also working on John Pisano's "Jazz Guitar Comping Masterclass"

I'll make it all work for what I need. :-)

Doug

[Doug B]

I'm 70 years old now and have some arthritis in my left hand. Is there any reason why I can't use mostly two note comping? (Mainly using a Guild X170 AB)

Thanks

Doug

I think I solved my own problem! :-)


I found a book called Wolf Marshall's Jazz Guitar Course.

He has a chapter on GUIDE TONES and that looks like what I was originally talking about. I just didn't know how to express it.

Seek and ye shall find!

Doug