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.

[@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 🙂

[@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.

[@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!

[@dougtube2006]

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

[@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.

[@MarianoSolGuitarra]

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

[@jamessidney2851]

My two favorite KZbin educators chillaxin.

[@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! 🙂

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@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! 🙂

[@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.

[@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! 👍🙂

[@diegobocco1035]

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

[@billmiller9145]

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

[@nikigba]

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

[@JensLarsen]

Great 🙂

[@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 🙂

[@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.

[@kerrym9254]

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

[@JensLarsen]

😁

[@nigeljones1681]

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

[@glorypun2915]

Nice to see you both ...

[@phunkydeadfish4110]

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

[@kerrym9254]

Their respect for each other is very evident.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you

[@hiranabe]

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

[@lawrenrich6419]

My two faves in one place .. unreal.

[@robbyr9286]

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

[@leterriblix]

Outstanding! Many thanks!!

[@andrejgregoric1324]

Excellent!

[@StephenIsSleepingIn]

I love this!

[@tomaspontofinal]

This is awesome! love both your channels! 💛

[@Fatfingertunes]

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

[@LenSeligmanMusic]

Great conversation!

[@brookeaday9423]

great conversation!

[@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 🙂

[@autokrohne]

Thank you! Very helpful!

[@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.

[@philiprowland9390]

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

[@daveyewart4289]

nice video . thanks for producing it

[@destinylucero9118]

Omg my TWO IDOLS! 😱😱😱😱🥹🥹🥹🥹 so happy

[@divisiona3974]

Very interesting vid. Cheers!

[@mikea75201]

This was fantastic!!

[@sscaramal]

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

[@garylarocca6901]

Thanks Jens, great stuff.

[@electronik808]

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

[@MichaelBagge]

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

[@ChristLenvoka]

This is so great we need more of this

[@plumhunter9158]

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

[@ernestmaurizi7668]

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

[@samkirby3775]

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

[@pichipachu]

Greaaaaat topic, you guys!!

[@Eduardoyanez__]

Great video!

[@andrewkashian3987]

wow. two absolute legends!!

[@kleberveridianogoncalvesde6293]

Nice conversation !

[@gabrielmoore6099]

You two are awesome, I love learning from you

[@benkatof5852]

I really like this format Jens. Excellent

[@JensLarsen]

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

[@Prabath1974]

Great sir ❤. Small session but very deep

[@Dannytyrellstudios]

Very needed.thanks

[@JensLarsen]

You are welcome!

[@caurnelmorgan4934]

Luv the crossover with you two.

[@mylesmacleod4306]

What a great video! Thank you!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it!

[@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.

[@nielsensejltur]

Wow. My two favorites together in one video

[@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.

[@edwardbraun2057]

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

[@rockstarjazzcat]

For a long time I didn’t appreciate pianos in jazz because as solo instruments they fill so much musical space and easily talk over others in a group setting. Guitarists and pianists operating in the big band context point to elegant, sophisticated simplification that’s worth striving for.

[@BebopDesigner]

Loved it! 😀 Please do a part II

[@MrLuridan]

Brilliant

[@GizzyDillespee]

Hey folks, in case you haven't seen it, there are more complete musical examples from these sessions over on Aimee's channel, released on the same day as this video.

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Adam! I imagine that since I mention it in the video, link to it in the pinned comment, in a card in the video and in the video description they should have a fair chance of seeing it, but I appreciate the effort 🙂

[@raydamoiseau]

On the same day!? Gotta check this out!!

[@_functionless]

can't wait to see you crush 1mil. getting a lot from the lessons!! thanks!!

[@steelplayer811]

Beautiful! You two are great! Thank you.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Michael!

[@tonygonzalez958]

great video by two absolute professional musicians

[@chrisheaton5853]

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

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Chris!

[@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.

[@samsantanamusic]

Very informative and fun to watch!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like the video! 🙂

[@antoniocarlosalveslobo9269]

Pretty easy coversation, indeed! (as we all would expect), Wonderful,

[@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.

[@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! 🙂

[@saturatedneowax]

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

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@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. 😃🙏

[@kiserlordtoast]

This is so glorious!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@wchphoto]

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

[@jamescopeland5358]

Great video Jens and Aimee!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you James!

[@mathuwhycough6591]

20 out of 10 score on this conversation. Thanks

[@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! 🙂

[@japrovost123]

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

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like the video 🙂

[@cbolt4492]

What an awesome sound 😎

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Christian!

[@JuanGabinoMusica]

Amazing !! Very natural and really important topic ...please more interviews like this !

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@jneily6074]

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

[@JensLarsen]

Glad to hear that!

[@vincej151]

Great video, love it. She sings so beautifully.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Vince! 🙂

[@johnjacquard863]

thanks!

[@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.

[@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

[@jonathanj-g-yyelle6144]

That was a fascinating conversation. Thanks to both of you for sharing this! _Fantastic_ . P.S.: I have watched Aimee's videos and I believe I'm subscribed to her channel. But if I'm not, I will correct that by subscribing!