Comping

[G]

Todd

After watching all of your vids on you tube, I was wondering if you could comment a little about your approach to comping/chords etc. You seem to be very fluent, and I would love to take my playing more in this direction!

[Todd Johnson]

Originally Posted by G

Todd

After watching all of your vids on you tube, I was wondering if you could comment a little about your approach to comping/chords etc. You seem to be very fluent, and I would love to take my playing more in this direction!

G,

I'm happy to comment, but I'm not sure where to start. It's a VERY open ended subject.

If you'll be patient with me, I'll try to get something up on the subject. Not just a quick response...but something substantial....It might take me a while....I'm OVERWHELMED with gigs, writing columns and editing my new DVD at the moment.... ......so I'll have to ask for patience from everyone.

BUT.........

I'll get something happening as soon as I can.

Sorry, but that's the best I can do for now.

[Lokire]

This is something I'm really interested in too. Especially when you're playing both a bassline and comping chords over it at the same time. Learning different inversions and knowing when to use them, to help make the progressions sound fluid. Stuff like that.

That's what I love most about playing 6-string (bass). All the chording possibilities it opens up

[G]

Exactly Lokire. I am playing in two 3 piece ensembles and I want to fill out my role. How do I drive the band and give the other players something to blow over?

[brandonwong]

Subscribed

[steveb98]

I'd love to see book(s) on chord melody playing on bass written by Todd and Ron Eschete together.

[Wally Malone]

Hi Todd, Jeremy Cohen and I were talking about how we both appreciate your comping and were also wondering if you would be coming out with educational product on this.

Hope all is well with you!


Wally

[G]

Inquiring minds want to know! LOL

Seriously though - this is a great subject and I'm looking forward to hearing Todd's input.

Here's a question for everyone: When you are chording, do you strum or pluck or what?

I usually pluck the bass notes with my thumb and pluck the other notes with my first 3 fingers. Unfortunately due to deformation my pinkie is not worth a whole lot. I've been listening/watching a lot of Matt Garrison - trying to cop his technique. His licks, however, might be out of the question.

[Todd Johnson]

Hi Guys,

Wow.....I'm grateful for your kind comments and your interest in this stuff.

Coincidentally, I was working on a chord melody arrangement today with one of my college students....We we're talking about...and...working on playing some "rootless voicing" chord melody stuff......

I'm thinking through the process of how I teach people to get to this point.....Actually of how I really think about it...(honestly, I try not to think any more than necessary! lol).... Anyway... I'm starting to formulate some things.....Starting to organize it so it'll make sense, rather than irritate and confuse everybody.... I'm also going to have one of my "computer genius" friends come up with a 2 octave "neck paper" so I can write out all the grips and tab etc.....

Anyway.....I'm thinking and working on it....Again, your patience is appreciated. I'm not ignoring or blowing off this subject....

Thanks....

Cool..........

[Lokire]

Originally Posted by Todd Johnson

I'm also going to have one of my "computer genius" friends come up with a 2 octave "neck paper" so I can write out all the grips and tab etc.....

That would be especially cool

Thanks Todd!

[G]

No worries Todd, and again, thanks for your help!

[Kraken]

Just a quick Subscribe

[Todd Johnson]

Hi Guys,

I thought you might get a kick out of this....

Apparently I'm supposed to start getting my "act together" on my whole chord playing/chord melody/bass & chords/ rootless voicing methods explantion thing.....

After very little interest (it would seem) over the last few years...all of a sudden I'm getting a BUNCH of requests for this style of playing.... Steve Bailey even asked me to show him what I'm doing!!! (Steve was one of my teachers @ BIT)...

Anyway....all that to say.... This morning I got a call from Jerry Watts from the L.A. Music Academy. They have a bass Master Class on Wednesdays and someone canceled on them at the last minute....anyway...Jerry called and wants me to come in and do a Master Class on my whole Chord/Harmony approach to playing the bass....Cool huh?!?! Coincidence....????

Anyway....I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I do have a knack for the obvious and I CAN take a hint....SO...I'll do my best to get some stuff together so everyone can understand what I'm up to....

Thought you'd appreciate seeing how God thumps me in the head every so often and says "hey, get it together".

In the meantime....learn all your 3rds and 7ths for every chord type...in all 12 keys....If you don't know this....then you don't have a chance!! So, get to work....

There it is....

Stay tuned!!

[steveb98]

That is awesome!!!!

We all are blessed, looking forward to your insights.

[G]

I'm there. Thanks again Todd. Good luck with your gig!

[Todd Johnson]

Originally Posted by G

I'm there. Thanks again Todd. Good luck with your gig!

Hi Guys,

Hey, I did a clinic last week in Rancho Cordova (Sacramento area) and the "chord thing" came up.... I think someone recorded the clinic....I'll try to find out and see if I can find the part where I "got into the chord voicing thing"....

Stay tuned....I haven't forgotten!!

[G]

No worries Todd. Looking forward to that vid!

[santucci218]

me 2, lol

[phatbassdood]

subscribing

[Pruitt]

Also subscribing.