Piano Comping Technique

Introduction

Once you've got that down, I think a really nice thing to do with the piano is to practice a technique with the right hand called comping.

The Big Band Context

To me, the piano we're using here represents the Count Basie Orchestra. Right now:

• The right hand plays the melody (da da da da) - that's the horn line.
• The left hand represents the bass.

But where's the rhythm section on the piano?

Introducing Comping

What we can do is introduce an additional element here. We're getting a little bit more complicated, but once you've got this down, I'm sure you'll manage it.

Playing the Comping Element

Watch what I do to bring in a comping element, which would be akin to the guitar of the orchestra:

• The horn line goes: da da da da.
• There's quite a bit of a gap before the next line, so we can fill that gap with something.

I think if you change the fingering slightly, we can actually add some elements that provide real depth.

Example Breakdown

Here's what I would do:

1. I'll play the example first, and then we'll break it down:
   • Play a G7 chord:
     • Use the second finger, third finger, and little finger on G as before.
     • Change the fingering of the last note:
       • Keep the same fingers: 2 on D, 3 on E, 5 on G.
       • Play the fourth finger on the E.
       • So it's: 2, 3, 5, 4 (D, E, G, E).

This feels slightly odd, but when we move the rest of our hand down for the comping element, it feels very natural.

Comping Notes

For the initial four bars of G, I'm using:

• Third finger on D
• Second finger on B
• Thumb plays two notes: G and F

So, it sounds like this.

You can practice that as many times as you want with the melody. It goes like this:

• (melody repeats)

This happens twice.

Transition to A Minor 7

Now, we're going to do the same thing, but change the chord:

• The chord of the tune moves from G to A minor 7.
• Instead of playing D, B, G, and F, we play:
  • C and D with our second and third fingers.
  • G with our thumb.

Important Note

Although the chord is A minor 7, the right hand doesn't need to play an A because the bass is playing it. The root note is handled in the bass, so your right hand doesn't need to worry about it.

So, for this chord, we play: da da da da with D, C, and G.

Moving the Thumb

The next time we do it, we're going to move our thumb down to F sharp. This gives us the correct chord when we move to D.

Putting it All Together

Really slowly, at speed from the top, it should sound like this.

Again, I'll add the left hand in now so you can hear.

And again.

Experimenting with Comping

Feel free to play around with the comping. It doesn't have to follow the same rhythm.

• Remember, you're the guitar player and the piano player in the orchestra.
• Experiment freely!

It doesn't even have to be a set rhythm to start. You could play:

• Badoo dado or simply hold the chord to get your fingers comfortable.

Once you feel like you've got the fingering right, let your creativity shine.

Conclusion

You are your own orchestra, so have fun with that! Play around with the comping, and I can't wait to hear what you create!