The Chromatic Line Game

In his first Mike's Master Class, Paul Bollenback teaches the Chromatic Line Game: using a chromatically ascending or descending upper voice inside your chords to generate motion and direction in comping, discover new voicings, and even construct single-note solo lines.

What's covered

• How the chromatic line game works, starting from simple ii-V-I-VI examples with one and two chords per bar
• Building a moving top line over each chord — ascending where possible, descending or adjusting where a chromatic note won't work
• The concept's roots as a compositional tool: choosing chord tones (9ths, 11ths, 13ths, 7ths) and testing whether they still work over the next chord
• Practical application to a familiar tune — Paul demonstrates the whole approach over Stella by Starlight
• Working from the included PDF of written examples

A practical, ear-opening system for guitarists who want their comping to go somewhere instead of sitting still — and a line-building tool in the bargain.