Comping on Blues and Rhythm Changes

Master the sophisticated art of jazz comping on blues and rhythm changes with renowned guitarist Paul Bollenback in this advanced workshop designed for seasoned players ready to elevate their harmonic vocabulary. This comprehensive course goes beyond basic chord progressions to explore the melodic approach to comping—a technique that transforms your accompaniment from mere harmonic support into a dynamic musical conversation. Paul demonstrates his systematic approach to voice leading on Bb blues, revealing how to create compelling melodic lines within your chord voicings using rootless voicings, shell chords, and strategic tension substitutions. You'll learn to navigate the delicate balance between providing harmonic clarity for soloists while maintaining your own melodic interest through carefully crafted voice movements and common tone connections. The course emphasizes practical performance skills essential for working musicians: how to react and respond to soloists in real-time, when to lead versus follow, and how to adapt your voicings when playing with different rhythm section configurations. Paul breaks down specific voicing options including 13th chords, #9 alterations, and tritone substitutions, showing exactly how to apply each in live playing situations. Whether you're accompanying in a club setting or recording session, these techniques provide the harmonic sophistication and flexibility demanded by professional jazz performance. Perfect for intermediate to advanced guitarists who already understand basic jazz harmony and are ready to develop the nuanced comping style that separates competent players from true jazz artists.