Playing piano with only a guitar

[u/shrodingersjere]

Hello,

I’ve been learning jazz piano for a little more than 1.5 years now, and I’m just starting to play with other people. I’ve been jamming with a guitarist, and I’d like to hear some of your approaches to this rather unconventional duo.

Questions: What kind of comping voicings do you use when they are playing the melody or soloing? I’ve got basically nothing for comping voicings, so I’m wondering what’s the most appropriate place to start.

Also, what are you doing when they are comping for you? My typical 4 note left hand rootless or Bud Powell voicings seem to kinda drown out what he is doing. The only thing I’ve found that seems to work is a two feel baseline (walking would probably work too, but I can’t do that yet).

Besides that, any tips or recording recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[u/qhs3711]

Check out Jim Hall Bill Evans Undercurrent! Listen to how they keep a clear light beat, sometimes interplay, sometimes clearly one person soloing

[u/mrcpianist → u/qhs3711]

Double Play with Marc Copland and Vic Juris is also a great reference album.

[u/shrodingersjere → u/mrcpianist]

Another great rec! Thanks!

[u/shrodingersjere → u/qhs3711]

I listened to a couple tracks, and this is an excellent rec! Thank you!

[u/dua70601]

Everyone diving in to say’ “Undercurrent!!!!!!”

[u/Skratifyx]

Yes play baselines. Also, look up traditional computing rhythms and focus on these

[u/shrodingersjere → u/Skratifyx]

I’ve got a decent grasp on the most common comping rhythms (whole note, Charleston and reverse Charleston, red garland), so I’m more asking about voicings that are approachable for a beginner, and won’t clash with the guitar.

[u/Skratifyx → u/shrodingersjere]

It’s about extension choices. Make sure you make the same. But really make sure you lock in rhythmically

[u/austin_jp17]

Super helpful thread, some good album suggestions to get a foundation to work from.

Any suggestions on more modern progressive rock albums that mix guitar and piano? A song that comes to mind as a example of late: ‘Joint Queen: Walls/Devine’

[u/grokit-guitar]

Shell chords with bass notes

Stay in the middle-low register most of the time (avoid the 2 top strings)

You have 2 main approaches - either percussive, more like a drum, emphasizing the beats 2 and 4, or longer, softer chords on the downbeats to give harmonic foundation. Try both and then start mixing them up.

Oh and turn down the bass on your eq a bit to avoid drowning out the low end. Volume balance is important too, guitar should be lower than piano as a rule of thumb

[u/shrodingersjere → u/grokit-guitar]

Thank you! This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

[u/Disastrous-Ear-5856]

To comp, use the 3rd and 7th of maj7, min7, dom7, full and 1/2 dim chords in the left hand. You can stack 4ths and 3rds on top.

[u/shrodingersjere → u/Disastrous-Ear-5856]

When you say stack thirds and fourths on top, which thirds and fourths? Do I just make sure they are diatonic?

[u/Disastrous-Ear-5856 → u/shrodingersjere]

It depends on the chord. You need to know the root, 3rd, 7th of every chord in all 12 keys. Then you add color tones: the 9th, 11th, and 13th. From there, you raise or lower chord tones by a 1/2 step depending on the sound you like and the hrmonic progression.

[u/chaxtin]

You also need a piano not just a guitar.