Blues comping is a necessary skill for every aspiring guitarist to attain, especially if he or she plans on playing the Blues. Luckily, comping is simple, impressive sounding, and once learned will be an invaluable tool to the guitarist.
Lesson One: Comping Means Rhythm Accompaniment
When a guitarist is comping, it means that he is accompanying the melody. He provides the rhythm, that another musician may take the lead. As such, it is very important that the guitarist not overplay. A rookie mistake is to try to do too much, muddling the song, and generally annoying everyone around them.
The first comp that a fledgling guitarist should be familiar with is a simple double stop (striking two strings at once) with the blues shuffle rhythm. The comp is shown here in the Key of A:
Over the A Chord:
E -----------------------------
B ----------------------------
G ----------------------------
D ---2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4
A ---0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0
E -----------------------------
Over the D Chord:
E ------------------------------
B -----------------------------
G --2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4--
D --0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--
A -------------------------------
E -------------------------------
Over the E Chord
E ------------------------------
B ----------------------------
G ---------------------------
D ---------------------------
A --2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4-
E --0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--
This comp is like a utility infielder in baseball-- it fits in just about anywhere. As far as music theory goes, there is no 3rd note played (the third note in a scale, the one that makes a chord major or minor).
Because of this, it fits equally well over the major or minor scales. The shift from the 5th note to the 6th note, creates just enough tension to keep the song going, without intruding on the melody.
Lesson Two: Electric Blues, Comping, and Riffs
Another benefit of the comp above is that when plugged into an amp, with the mid range turned down, this comp has a very satisfying crunch. It is not uncommon to turn the mid range down when playing an electric blues comp-- the middle and high notes are generally the realm of the lead musician.
Another option is to use left hand muting as a comp. In this case, the rhythm guitarist plays the appropriate chord, but lays the pinky finger of his left hand (fretting hand) over the strings. This dampens the notes
Consider creating a riff rather than just playing a chord (although a bluesy chord like a 7th or 9th always sounds good as a comp). A riff (technically known as an ostinato, though no one calls it that anymore) is a melodic phrase that is used as a comp.
Riffs are everywhere in the Blues, and especially in Blues-Rock, where the additional instruments require each musician to play less. A good listen to anything by Led Zeppelin will show the listener the power of the riff. Jimmy Page took the Blues riff and jacked it up to face-melting temperature.
Below is a sample riff in A using the Pentatonic Minor scale
E -------------------------
B ----------------------------
G ----------------------------
D -----------------------------
A -----3-5--3--5----3--5--3-
E --5--------------5-----------5-
(I, m, r, and p indicate proper fingering)
The Minor Pentatonic Scale
E -----1-:---:-----:-3b---
B -----5-:---:-----:7b---
G ----3b:---:---4:-------
D ----7b:---:---1:-------
A ----4--:---:---5:---------
E ----1--:---:----:--3b---
..........I ...M ....R... P
Lesson Three: Acoustic Country Blues and Comping
Any guitarist interested in the Blues finds out rather quickly that Country Blues are much more difficult to play than electric Blues. This is because Country Blues-- usually played on an acoustic guitar -- comps itself.
In Country Blues, the guitarist plays using his fingers and thumb instead of a pick. His fingers play the melody, while his thumb comps out a rhythm. It is no wonder why there are so few Country Blues players these days.
The most basic comping line for a Country Blues musician is an alternating baseline with a melody strummed or picked.
Below is an example with a C chord.
E -------0--------0--
B -------1--------1--
G -------0--------0----
D --------------------
A ---3----------------3
E -----------3-------
However, Country Blues comping can become very complex, with baseline runs weaving in and out of the melody. Acoustic Blues for guitar is very influenced by Ragtime, and at times is played more like a piano than a guitar.
Learning the Rhythm Before the Lead
Comping is one of the most basic elements of the Blues. Indeed, comping is the first skill a guitarist should learn once he turns to the Blues. As any wise musician would say, “you have to play the rhythm, before you take the lead.”
For Further Reading on the Blues and Guitar
The Complete Blues Scale here
The Best Guitar Tab Websites here
The Origin of the Blues here
Craig Sanders - Craig Sanders is happy to be the Suite101 Feature Writer for Folk Music, as writing and music have been his twin loves his whole ...
