Eli Yamin and Tom Dempsey Discuss Comping on Guitar with a Full Band

Guitarist Tom Dempsey shows you how to comp when you are a part of a full rhythm section, enabling you to keep things musical and avoid clutter.
Learn more at our Jazz Academy: academy.jalc.org
Tom Dempsey - Guitar
Eli Yamin - Piano
Ari Roland - Bass
Alvin Atkinson - Drums
Eric Suquet - Director
Marshall Rose - Director of Photography
Jessica Paz - Audio Engineer
Richard Emery - Production Assistant
Seton Hawkins - Producer
Recorded May 3, 2013

[@paulgibby6932]

Thanks for the video. Suggestion: show close-ups of the guitar neck so guitarists can see his voicings. Thanks

[@edwardmclaughlin7935]

I agree with Paul Gibby: this is a really useful demonstration and would be so much moreso with a close-up of the fretboard so we can have a go.

[@dsosa23]

You guys are just great. How I wish you could offer classes online.

[@wittvonwitt4403]

Yes!

[@mikewallace1270]

This is good stuff for all musicians including producers.

[@Vic9994546]

Also trading comping with the pianist or asking the pianist to simplify what they’re doing

[@donkotouc8377]

Nice subtle guitar voicings....

[@thanksalotman]

Love the 3-7 voicing thanks!!!

[@markoconnor6746]

Freddie Green th,at's all.

[@marcosking8]

great videos, really cool

[@luisnoriega9674]

Great video

[@eury4959]

Also, another tip is how I've noticed in how he's playing them voicings: When he switches to the rootless voicings, its not the same finger positions as how he played the barre chords just without the root; he's probably using the same voicings, yet move the finger positions around, keeping the same notes but only moving where the notes are on the fretboard if that makes sense. This can be applied through: Playing the progression in about the same fret positions, Playing the progressions only descending, Playing the progression only ascending, etc. Playing this way moves the notes around through the use of inversions and more interesting octaval placing. It's what one can do when having to comp limitedly

[@luchomolinari]

Very usefull discrete information for the one is looking for something in the field. I found what I was looking to create a digital animation of traditional jazz via MIDI... I love you guys ❤

[@geconucd]

Super lesson! 👏 Makes a lot of sense. Thank you very much for sharing! 👍

[@spacejazz6272]

why is it always the guitarist who has to compromise lol

[@dishwasherdetergent3366]

because piano players reign supreme

[@cjgreen4331]

@@dishwasherdetergent3366 You'll eat those words

[@dishwasherdetergent3366]

@@cjgreen4331 hey I never said piano players *were* supreme. The fact is that they *reign* supreme when it comes to comping.

[@bluesagan3381]

@@KP-by4eu A good guitarist is able to play both melody, chords, and even a walking bass line all at the same time, as this is what solo jazz guitarists do. I think the real issue is sound projection and not mudding up the sound of the band.

[@bluesagan3381]

@@KP-by4eu I agree, that's why a solo guitarist is a solo guitarist and a rhythm guitarist is a rhythm guitarist. As far as it sounding choppy, in the context of Big Band it might, but by itself or in a trio or quartet it lends itself quite well. I wasn't claiming the guitarist could completely replace a pianist in Big Band, but the guitar is definitely capable of playing a rhythm and melody at the same time, it just does this better in smaller ensembles.

[@aashishpalikhey7307]

PLEASE. I NEED MORE

[@JuanDavidVargasMora]

Great stuff!