Accompaniment
is one of the most important roles a guitar player is expected to play in a jazz
band. Whether you are in a duo or quartet or big band, a good majority of your
time will be spent playing chords and accompaniment, supporting other players
and the band. As important as it is, this is also one of the most valuable,
enjoyable, and interesting aspects of learning jazz guitar.
This
book was designed to allow a beginning student to learn gradually and
systematically various basic guitar chords and accompaniment patterns and styles
typically played in jazz while understanding the basic music theory on which
they are based. Chapters 1 through 4 consist of various sections in which one
(or, in a few sections, two) type of chord and a few accompaniment patterns are
presented at a time. Each section includes several large chord diagrams that
will show you how to play a chord in various ways and places on guitar.
Chapter
1 covers such basics as guitar parts, tuning guitar, and basic music notation
and theory. In Chapter 2, you will learn the most basic chords, called triads
and suspended chords. Similarly, Chapter 3 will introduce you to 6th and 7th
chords and more rhythm patterns applicable to such accompaniment styles as
four-to-the-bar and comping. Then, in Chapter 4, more advanced chords called
extended along with some fingerstyle accompaniment patterns, called arpeggios
and bossa nova will be presented. Finally, Chapter 5 will list so-called altered
chords and an accompaniment style that combines comping with some bass lines
plus a few contemporary accompaniment styles based on the 16th-note rhythms will
be briefly introduced.
A large
collection of chords, accompaniment patterns, and theory will be presented in
this book. However, there is no reason for you to feel overwhelmed or panic.
Spend plenty of time to digest and practice each chord and accompaniment
pattern, proceeding at your own pace. Read instructions and follow the diagrams
and exercises carefully and, most importantly, play very slowly at first. This
will ensure correct learning and help you avoid acquiring bad habits that would
be hard to break later.
Depending
on the music style, size and instrumentation of the band, what, when, and how
you accompany will vary. This book will teach you the basics and many valuable
ideas that will help prepare you to accompany in a band. However, playing in
many situations and bands will be ultimately your best teacher and experience
that will shape your skills. After you’ve learned some of the chords and
accompaniment styles, get together with friends, brothers and sisters or attend
workshops or get play-along CDs or tapes and try to play in as many live
situation as you can.
Good
luck! I sincerely hope that you will have a great time learning some of the most
interesting aspects of jazz guitar playing by working with this book.
(an excerpt from
"Jazz Guitar Chords and Accompaniment")
