Comping practice routines

Practice Routines for Swing and Latin Comping

Before we leave swing comping behind and start to focus on Latin comping, I'd like to show you a few practice routines that you should revisit occasionally in different keys.

1-6-2-5 Sequence

For instance, in the key of G, let's take the 1-6-2-5 sequence. This is such a common sequence that it would be really helpful for you to practice it in different keys.

Chords in Key of G

We'll start with the diatonic 2-5, where all the chords are in the key of G:

• G Major (3 note rootless voicing)
• E Minor 9
• A Minor 7
• D9

See how those shapes hardly need to move! I'm going to put a walking bass line in the left hand. Loop them, get used to them, try out different rhythms, and practice them in different keys.

Easy Keys to Start

Try the easy keys first:

• Key of G
• Key of C
• Key of A Minor
• Key of D Minor
• Key of F:
  • F
  • D Minor
  • G Minor
  • C7

See if you can work out the voicings in the bass line and get comfortable with those.

2-5-1 Sequence

Now, let's look quickly at the 2-5-1 sequence, which is also a really common sequence, perhaps with long 2-5-1.

Chords in Key of C

We have a whole bar on each chord in the key of C:

• D Minor
• G9
• C Major or C6

Again, put the walking bass line in the left hand. Vary the rhythms! You can even vary the bass line as well, as long as you keep time.

Chords in Key of F

Now, we'll do a similar thing in the key of F, but leaving the chords in the same register with the same top note. Instead of D Minor with A on top, we've got G Minor with A on top.

We're going for four-note shapes now as well.

Rhythm Variations

That rhythm was an on-off rhythm where you play the second chord between beats two and three. Now we'll try the opposite: an off-on rhythm where the first chord is a little bit late, off the beat.

On one hand, you need to get equally familiar with both those rhythms and start mixing them up as well. Then you'll really be on point with your comping.

Practicing the Cycle of 2-5-1s

The best way to practice all these is to go around the cycle of 2-5-1s:

• D
• G
• C
• C
• F
• Bb
• Eb
• Ab
• Db
• Gb
• F#
• B
• Eb

That's six different keys you could practice for starters, going down in tones.

Good luck!