need suggestion for beginner jazz rhythm comp guitar book

[Timbell]

I have been doing a lot of studying, learning my arpeggios so I know where all the chord tones are, and playing through familiar songs with the chord charts provided on this website. Now that I can finger the chords, or play 4 to the bar, I need guidance in playing rhythm jazz guitar and comping. I bought Amazon.com: Jazz Guitar: Bebop and Beyond (The 21st Century Pro Method Series) (9780757982811): Doug Munro: Books not too long ago, and was considering getting the other book Swing to Bebop. I have not really searched around, but I know I can trust the posters on this board to help me find a really good book that covers this.

[Bill C]

I like Barry Galbraith's "Guitar Comping".

[JorisFun]

Hi Timbell,
Check the 'Playing through Jazz Tunes in a Jazz Style' thread in this part of jazzguitar.be. Not a book, not easy, but immensely rewarding when you want to know how to comp your way through a tune.

[jazzbow]

Bought this book last year and it helped alot. Freddie Green style 4 to the bar chords of which there are about 28, goes onto drop 2 and 3 chords, good price too.



Swing and Big Band Guitar [With CD]: Amazon.co.uk: Charlton Johnson: Books

[Kojo27]

Hey Timbell,

The book jazzbow linked you to is really good. I'm currently concentrating on this part of jazz playing myself, so I hope I can shorten your search a bit, anyway.

Lookee here: Amazon.com: all blues for jazz guitar by jim ferguson: Books

All the "All Blues" Jim Ferguson books are GREAT. All Blues for Jazz Guitar: Comping Styles, Chords, and Grooves is the one to get now, obviously. Try to get the soloing volume eventually, too - it's awesome. This comping volume uses jazz blues progressions to get you into some snazzy voicings and to get you past "sock rhythm" (4 to the bar) and into more sparse, modern sounds. There's no child's play here - every piece is performance-worthy and will take a few days to get under your fingers. Valuable CD included.
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If you don't have the first Mickey Baker book, get it. Learn all those chords and sequences.
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Don't laugh, but consider Rhythm Guitar the Ranger Doug Way. He's a Western Swing player, but this is Freddie Green style, in-depth. Twenty-some DETAILED arrangements the way an absolute master of Freddie Green rhythm plays them. Mostly jazz standards: After You've Gone; Ain't Misbehavin'; All of Me; Embraceable You; How High the Moon; Limehouse Blues; Tangerine; Lady Be Good -- etc. with a few Western Swing tunes (Tumbling Tumbleweeds), too. Any jazz comper will learn a ton of cool ideas from this, imo. Just chord charts w/diagrams; no CD.
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Finally, if you want or need to learn about chord substitutions, and if you know American traditional tunes (Shenandoah; Old Kentucky Home; Amazing Grace; Danny Boy; etc.), a good book to get is Fred Sokolow's Jazzin' it Up. He starts with these ultra-familiar tunes and shows you how jazz players "jazz up" standards by explaining, bar by bar, what you can do and when, with substitute chords. Very cool. Has a CD. You'll learn theory from this book without even realizing it, and you'll use it the rest of your life. It's one of those things.

Hope this helps.

KJ

[FatJeff]

+1 on the Galbraith book, but I wouldn't say it's for newbies. It's more of an intermediate book.

A great reference is Fareed Haque's TrueFire course, "Jazz Comping Survival Guide": Jazz Guitar Lessons - Jazz Comping Survival Guide - Fareed Haque

[Kojo27]

Originally Posted by FatJeff

A great reference is Fareed Haque's TrueFire course, "Jazz Comping Survival Guide": Jazz Guitar Lessons - Jazz Comping Survival Guide - Fareed Haque

Wow - you're right. I checked this out (I'm a TrueFire member) - it's awesome. Thanks!

KJ

[Old Feller]

Originally Posted by jazzbow

Bought this book last year and it helped alot. Freddie Green style 4 to the bar chords of which there are about 28, goes onto drop 2 and 3 chords, good price too.



Swing and Big Band Guitar [With CD]: Amazon.co.uk: Charlton Johnson: Books

^ correct answer

[vsaumarez]

A simple, straightforward guide to four in a bar, voice leading, walking bass and Latin rhythms for under $10
ebooks