Welcome to MeYouMusic’s Jazz Comping lesson in D Major!
If you haven’t read my previous comping lessons, then I recommend starting on my Jazz Comping in C Major lesson which you can get to by Clicking Here!
Now before we start, let’s take a look at the root notes we will use, as well as the diatonic extended chords for this key 🙂
Okay so just to clarify, i substituted what would usually be an A7 with an A6 and substituted the B minor 7 with a B minor ♭13. This was just to make the ascending progression sound smoother, but assuming you have read meyou’s previous comping lessons, then you should already have a good idea on diatonic extended chord progression formulas and how to (some extent) substitute these chords.
Now, Let’s get comping! 😀
Example 1:
This example is the easiest way (in my opinion) to play a jazz 2-5-1-6 progression in this key; just keep an eye on your right hand and make sure you are plucking the correct strings!
Example 2:
This one is also relatively simple using common shapes. I decided to play the A Major with open strings instead of extending it to give it a different colour 🙂
Example 3:
Starting off on a new chord – E minor 7#5 – which resonates a wonderfully perfect sound that will reverberate around the room when you shift to the A 7 if you have the right tone. I recommend a little less bass on this one.
Example 4 :
All essential Jazz standard shapes here so give it a play through and make sure your fluent with each!
Example 5:
Hopefully you are already familiar with all the chord shapes in this example and should have no problems with the chord shapes themselves. This one however does have a unique interval pattern which I recommend taking note of.
Example 6:
Starting off on our 2-5-1 again, we are going to be substituting our minor E variant with a 6/9 chord to add some flavor in this one.
Example 7:
Now we are getting into slightly harder territory… You are likely to struggle on the switch from the B minor 7 to the C# Augmented 7 but be persistent!
I also decided to change the chord shape of the G Major 7th in the 11th bar so you can all practice using both ways but if it becomes to much trouble for you at the moment, just substitute it with a different G Major 7 (preferably E string root) shape.
I also don’t use the typical 2-5-1 jazz turn around in this one so take note of the Intervals (above each stave) and how each chord shift sounds.
Example 8:
Here is a real dramatic sound I came across when coming up with this lesson which contains some really cool chords and intervals. Other then the C# Diminished 7th – A string Root, you should be fine with the chord shapes and shifts.
Example 9:
I’ll be honest with you, this one is going to hurt. A technique I am extremely fond of is Barring my index finger across multiple frets. This is not so much a problem when only covering 2 different frets, but in this example you will need to stretch 3 frets for the C minor 7 and the B Dominant 7 shapes. Whether you are capable of pulling it of or not is dependent on your dedication but this is my own personal technique and by no means a Jazz standard that is required of you. Unfortunately this progression will not sound right unless you can hit the correct notes on the high e string. If you can pull it of, it’s very impressive; but if not, skip to the next example.
This exercise also breaks away from our diatonic chord sequence using a flat 7th interval.
Example 10:
And For our last Example I decided to use the beginning to the first song from my personal Jazz Album 🙂 It’s a beautiful chord progression and since it’s in D Major, I decided to treat my readers with a sound that is very special to me.
I didn’t tab the second half as I modulate into a different key and that would take away the purpose of this lesson, but feel free to extend it in your own way!
I hope you enjoyed my Jazz Comping in D Major Lesson! best of luck learning 😀
To see all of our other currently available jazz comping lessons for Guitar, Click Here!
Alternatively, to see our other free Guitar lessons, Click Here!