Jazz Comping - A Difficult Conversation With Aimee Nolte

Comping is one of the most fun parts of playing Jazz, but comping with both a piano and a guitar is incredibly difficult and the source of many frustrations!
In this video, I visit Aimee Nolte and we have a long and difficult conversion about comping, and we also play some music but most of that is on Aimee's channel:
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Content:
00:00 Intro - A Difficult Conversation
00:48 Piano & Guitar - The Jam Session
04:26 Take The A-Train
05:53 Finding Your Space In The Music
06:27 How To Not Get In The Way
06:54 The Power Of Riff-Comping
08:24 Going Along With Solo Ideas
09:35 Comping and Fills
10:42 Practical Advice On Piano Fills!
11:09 Pick The Right Range
12:13 You Don’t Have To Comp!
14:44 Using “Sounds” As A Guitarist
15:54 Freddie Green
17:10 Arranging Your Way Out Of Trouble
17:31 Bossanova Grooves
19:16 Like the video? Check out my Patreon page!
My name is Jens Larsen, Danish Jazz Guitarist, and Educator. The videos on this channel will help you explore and enjoy Jazz. Some of it is how to play jazz guitar, but other videos are more on Music Theory like Jazz Chords or advice on how to practice and learn Jazz, on guitar or any other instrument.
The videos are mostly jazz guitar lessons, but also music theory, analysis of songs and videos on jazz guitars.
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[@AimeeNolte]

Thanks for coming over, Jens! It was blast to chat and make music with you!

[@MrSF247]

Such a great video! I loved being able to sit in this instructive jam session. Stuff like this is what is so great about the internet

[@CellZealot]

Thanks to you both for the conversation. It seems, as always, that it's really about how to listen...

[@JensLarsen]

Great how easy it is to make music together, and it is nice to read the comments and see that the video is useful 🙂

[@picksalot1]

That was delightful, and insightful. Thank you both!

[@szabolcssandorczako1620]

Unbelievable! Do you know each other?

[@chrisr530]

Jens - PLEASE, do more of these conversations with other musicians. Your very good at it! Thank you for all you do in the Jazz Community. Have a great day my friend!

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Chris!

[@J3unG]

Unfortunate choice of conversation topic. This is bad and worse if you have it with a thin-skinned purist like the one you spoke to here.

[@ATX0705]

I respect and admire ALL instruments, but Guitar and Piano are my favorites hands down.

[@DangFee78]

This is the collaboration (or maybe 'Clash of the Musical Titans') we need.

[@dougtube2006]

A horn player once told me “horn players solo and piano players comp, and guitarists do both worse.”

[@Mike-rw2nh]

Jens, I don’t mind confessing, I’ve had a shitty day at work, but sat in the bath, a glass of wine and checking out yours and Aimee’s duets on her channel, is like a shot of vitamin C for my ear holes. A very sincere thank you to you both. 👍👍👍

[@JensLarsen]

That is really great to hear! Glad it could turn it around 🙂

[@bmoraga01]

This is probably one of the most (if not THE most) important jazz education videos I've ever viewed. This was a subject probably every ensemble guitarist in the world would appreciate! Thanks Jens from southern California!

[@boomerdell]

Jens and Aimee on the same stage? Yes, please!

[@MarianoSolGuitarra]

10:40 Octaves! (like Bill Evans solos with Jim Hall.)

[@paulrodberg]

How wonderful to enjoy the sharing of wisdom from 2 admired teachers.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Paul! 🙂

[@J3unG]

This was a joke and YT algorithmic is totally rubbish.

[@ReductioAdAbsurdum]

The best single tip I ever got about comping is simply being told what "comp" is short for: compliment. If you just keep that full word in your mind, decisions become easier. The goal is to make the ensemble sound better.

[@jamessidney2851]

My two favorite KZbin educators chillaxin.

[@glorypun2915]

Nice to see you both ...

[@diegobocco1035]

Amazing conversation, we all, the watchers became richer. Thanks a Lot, you both

[@ChrisBuonoGuitar]

I’m 100% with you on this one. When both instruments are in the mix the piano is the ultimate comping instrument. It has everything going for itself in this realm while we are struggling with the limitation of standard tuning, less digits available to play actual notes, as well as the overall timbre of our instrument being not as globally inviting as a piano is.

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Chris! 🙂

[@reggiebdog]

So I've recently started playing in a trio with a Pianist and percussionist. This was very enlightening video. I've always found most pianists have no concept of leaving space. Leaving me as the guitarist to try to figure out where I'm supposed to be but often find that I'm either being stepped on or stepping on. In my particular case she is so used to being all the music to being the entire musical score that she's not comfortable leaving extra space I think the best advice I heard here was think like a horn player. Also good communication and understanding who has the lead line and who has the Rhythm comping needs to be worked out. Thank you both for such a wonderful video

[@nikigba]

that is exactly what i was looking for! the guitar-piano duet

[@JensLarsen]

Great 🙂

[@rickjensen2717]

I never comp with the piano - we always stick to different songs or alternate between A and B sections of most standards. Seems to work much better.

[@lawrenrich6419]

My two faves in one place .. unreal.

[@jkl.guitar]

this is really awesome! I tend to think of comping on guitar as acting like a snare, I find this helps me avoid over complicating rhythms

[@JensLarsen]

If the piano player is any good then he/she should actually do the same in Jazz, so for comping together it doesn't really solve anything. However, for comping and locking in with the band it is the highest truth and the best advice! 👍🙂

[@seanmulcahy1264]

So cool to see you two talking! I've leaned a lot from both of your channels!

[@RC32Smiths01]

Awesome to see you doing collaborations man. Seeing two great minds of music sharing perspective and advice is something I'd say is definitely vital to the growth of musicianship for all. Cheers guys.

[@billmiller9145]

What a great segment! For a "difficult conversation", you both made it sound effortless!

[@Dang...]

Good conversation, thank you both! There's no reason for guitar/piano not to comp together in an interactive call and response format. All it takes is checking both players' egos at the door. Try playing 1/2 as much. Everyone in Jazz has creative ideas, and everyone needs a chance to express their creativity. I don't buy this concept that guitarists need to subvert their creative ideas to keyboards all the time. What if we said keys need to yield to guitars all the time? Either approach unnecessarily limits the possible tonal colors and textures. Aimee talked about discussing/planning taking turns comping for different sections of the tune. This could also be done comping via alternating phrases. Listening sympathetically is all it takes. Unfortunately, that is all too rare. Thanks again!

[@destinylucero9118]

Omg my TWO IDOLS! 😱😱😱😱🥹🥹🥹🥹 so happy

[@davidbertus8629]

I like to listen to the Nat King Cole Trio and Diana Krall's tribute to them to be reminded that Guitar and Piano really can live together in harmony (pun intended).

[@jjmohn9204]

Thx Jim Hall & Bill Evans?! Jens &: Aimee, you two my favorite KZbin buddies!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like the video! 🙂

[@glen2218]

Dream team!

[@robbyr9286]

Great crossover on a very important topic by two wonderful communicators!

[@hiranabe]

Oh, great to see two of my heroes/heroines together!!

[@MichaelBagge]

Very nice I've been watching both of your channels for a long time.

[@nielsensejltur]

Wow. My two favorites together in one video

[@gabrielmoore6099]

You two are awesome, I love learning from you

[@jasonkeaton5140]

Yes!

[@poss420]

great conversation !

[@benkatof5852]

I really like this format Jens. Excellent

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you, Ben! I hope to do more collaborations, with Aimee and others as well.

[@pablocubicomusic]

A great example of adding "sounds" on top of piano comping is Mike Moreno, look for the Smalls live videos or the Kendrick Scott albums. Adding soundscapes on top of the piano.

[@nigeljones1681]

Wes and Wynton could play at the same time and it was brilliant because they listened 🎵

[@jimmrvos2930]

This was terrific! I watched the performance by you and Aimee on her channel before watching this video. While watching, I was thinking to myself about how great the communication and listening was between you two. It made me smile to see that this video is all about communication.

[@luvzrsvpsheets9713]

6:18 really good enclosure licc

[@mathuwhycough6591]

20 out of 10 score on this conversation. Thanks

[@leterriblix]

Outstanding! Many thanks!!

[@romie233]

This is an absolutely fantastic set of topics that dive into some of the un-said social minutia of playing in small combos. I'd love to see more topics like this featuring other parts of a combo.

[@kerrym9254]

Their respect for each other is very evident.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you

[@Fatfingertunes]

This is so good, two of my favorites in a conversation we all need! Wonderful!

[@jimmrvos2930]

One more comment: I really appreciate these two videos. Honesty, my progress on jazz has been slow and I was losing enthusiasm. This has energized me again. Thank you Aimee and Jens.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you liked the videos, Jim 🙂

[@philiprowland9390]

Fantastic and very useful conversation, Amy and Jens! Looking forward to more of these! And lovely playing!

[@sscaramal]

That was so helpful and insightful! Thank you both so much!

[@mikea75201]

This was fantastic!!

[@electronik808]

That's really an amazing conversation and very helpful!!

[@andrejgregoric1324]

Excellent!

[@andrewkashian3987]

wow. two absolute legends!!

[@ChristLenvoka]

This is so great we need more of this

[@phunkydeadfish4110]

Aimee you should do the same type thing with Rich Severson. This is great !

[@WhistlebirdInfinity]

I play guitar and piano and accordion and you two are my favorite you tube teachers. Makes me so happy to see y'all play together and bring up this point, which I have struggled with in various musical situations...

[@WhistlebirdInfinity]

@Username-JenslarsenGuitar sounds sketchy

[@dummyguava]

Fantastic. Two of my favourite Jazz youtubers. Most of what you talk about is way over my head but some of it usually seeps in, and always a pleasure to watch two masters of the craft.

[@mrknowitall9778]

Great Video. I don’t play Jazz, but do play improvisational music with other players. One thing we found that works really well for us, and is apparently a recent invention - talk! Yup, we have an actual discussion before getting things started about who will do what and when. Works great. But I realize you are talking about musical conversation. A completely different language than speech - LOL. The two of you are of my favs and thank you for taking the time to get together to demonstrate the language of music.

[@tomaspontofinal]

This is awesome! love both your channels! 💛

[@ernestmaurizi7668]

Great job by both....a most important concept and great demonstration

[@plumhunter9158]

Very interesting ... will have to replay - thanks Jens and Aimee

[@mjones6983]

I loved this video. I’ve learned over the years to always defer to the piano. It’s bigger and louder. Ha ha.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Yes that is also how I think about it 🙂

[@insidejazzguitar8112]

Great conversation!

[@garylarocca6901]

Thanks Jens, great stuff.

[@autokrohne]

Thank you! Very helpful!

[@steelplayer811]

Beautiful! You two are great! Thank you.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Michael!

[@aaroncampmusic]

Wonderful! So glad you are visiting Aimee! I always think back to Joe Pass "Don't compete with the piano, it's bigger so it will win" lol. Or something like that. I love "The New York Rhythm Section" album with Hank Jones, Barry Galbraith etc. They've obviously worked it out so that all that stuff happens nicely. Or Barry turns down his guitar and just plays guide tone comping. That works, too. But it can get pretty hazardous if you don't figure it out first ha ha.

[@CellZealot]

@@matthewgoldberg1461 It's difficult to compare the interaction and conversation between Joe Pass and Oscar Peterson to any other pairing of piano and guitar. They have developed a language that is both highly idiomatic and refined at the same time. Also at times very competitive, which adds energy and spontaneity to the improvisation. They knew one another so well that they could play with great freedom within each others envelope without getting in each others way.

[@StephenIsSleepingIn]

I love this!

[@edwardbraun2057]

Thanks for the great discussion of comping…so helpful. Please try and do more of these discussions with other musicians.. really great

[@chrisheaton5853]

Man i love this! Your both incredibly talented, its also amazing to hear your combined spontaneous thoughts.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Chris!

[@vincej151]

Great video, love it. She sings so beautifully.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Vince! 🙂

[@tonygonzalez958]

great video by two absolute professional musicians

[@benjaminmacdonald9558]

I think this is really useful for a lot of people that are just starting to get into playing jazz with other people, or coming from rock like myself where I’m used to being the guitar player in a trio - I had to play pretty much all the time. It lays out the situation and approaches you can take really well. Great video!

[@pichipachu]

Greaaaaat topic, you guys!!

[@warrenwilson7836]

It’s pretty awesome listening to two of my favourite KZbin personalities talking about my favourite subject. Thanks for all the talking points. It’s great you guys got together.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@mylesmacleod4306]

What a great video! Thank you!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it!

[@kerrym9254]

Jens called Aimee a "real piano player". Nice. This was great.

[@JensLarsen]

😁

[@Williampreza]

Jam session leader here. Yes, this is tough. Half the time I end up laying out completely and pretending to be a vocalist till my solo.

[@patrickburke3826]

This is a great collaboration. It is cool to play with other musicians that stay out of each other's way. Also, I was so happy to get a picture with you this year at NAMM Jens. It is a great experience, and artists like yourself are so kind to us fans. 😃🙏

[@nielsbenn2233]

This is awesome! A very inspiring conversation and some great examples. Thank you Jens and Aimee for taking us inside and sharing some useful and practical aspects on comping and supporting,

[@JensLarsen]

Glad it was helpful Niels! 🙂

[@wchphoto]

I would love to have been a fly on that wall! Two awesome talents, talking shop! I'm a fan of both.

[@saturatedneowax]

You’re both amazing! Thank you for this crossover and the useful information

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@japrovost123]

Thanks to both of you! Indeed two great teachers but together,.. this is special!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like the video 🙂

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

👍🏻 wow you guys are so intelligent, just blows my mind .

[@Dannytyrellstudios]

Very needed.thanks

[@JensLarsen]

You are welcome!

[@Prabath1974]

Great sir ❤. Small session but very deep

[@samsantanamusic]

Very informative and fun to watch!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like the video! 🙂

[@kleberveridianogoncalvesde6293]

Nice conversation !

[@divisiona3974]

Very interesting vid. Cheers!

[@Kevinschart]

Let me add to all the glowing compliments on this video. Excellent concept, even better execution.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@caurnelmorgan4934]

Luv the crossover with you two.

[@daveyewart4289]

nice video . thanks for producing it

[@jamescopeland5358]

Great video Jens and Aimee!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you James!

[@samkirby3775]

There is a special sound when a Guitar and Piano comp together. It blends real well

[@kiserlordtoast]

This is so glorious!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@Eduardoyanez__]

Great video!

[@miguelsassot7921]

Great content there!!! So interesting to see how to interacts with others. Great vibe aswell. Keep’em comong maestro! ❤

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like the video! 🙂

[@jneily6074]

I really enjoyed this video, Jens. Great insights. I second the suggestion for similar videos with other instrumentalists.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad to hear that!

[@BebopDesigner]

Loved it! 😀 Please do a part II

[@zeppelinfan9360]

We've got two heavyweights here 🎸☮️💕

[@cbolt4492]

What an awesome sound 😎

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Christian!