Freddie Green Style Guitar Comping

[pro12222222]

The most important notes are 3rd and 7th. Usually those extended notes are played by brass section and the root is played by bass player ;>

[kvnlmn]

i wish i could play like this :(

[Lutemann]

You can.

[diz52nd]

As a picture is worth a thousand words, this clip speaks volumes.

[StopTheMoti0n]

HELP! hey, i play guitar in my high school's jazz band and everyone's been telling me to chunk like Freddie Green! i've done my research and learned about the 3 or 4 note voicings (also the controversial 1 note chord). i've experimented with omitting notes and made some 7th chord shapes with roots on the 5th and 6th strings. but i hit a rock... what about 9th, 11th and 13th?? 9th isn't as bad, but what notes should you omit? its hard to have a FG voice with so many notes! plz help!

[Lutemann]

Do a search on youtube for: murdick rhythm guitar

[jazzgtrplayer]

Leave out the extensions (the 9th, etc.) If you're asked to play like Freddie Green, it means the piano player is most likely comping, too, and it's up to the piano to play those extensions. You could get by just playing the 3rd and 7th. You can have the root, but it's not necessary since the bass is playing it. The 5th doesn't add much to the chord and the piano player could alter it, too, so you can leave it out. If the music says F7#5b9#11... just play F A Eb

[StopTheMoti0n]

oh, wow man, thanks! that really helps...

[ryanstewartguitar]

chunking is all about the thirds and the sevenths, the meat of the chord. just make sure the volume is down, and the tone is up, to make the guitar a more rhythmic instrument than a melodic one. other notes can be added if you'd like, just be careful and always use your ear; make sure you never clash with any other instrument. but having a melody in your top note can never hurt. :)

[Lutemann]

Good advice. I think where a lot of jazzers get it wrong is when they include notes that are too high. IMO, you can't use chords that include th first string in big band comping.

[guitarslim56]

Don't worry about those extra notes. Obviously, if you're playing a one-note chord, you're going to be leaving one notes out. Here's an important tip: Don't play roots!

[misfitsboy123]

When it's a 9th, 11th, or 13th, etc, I usually just play the 3rd and 7th tri-tone, but sometimes that sounds off, so I play a major or minor 7th instead of a regular 7th, and it usually sounds a little better.

[Spimp4]

@StopTheMoti0n it's probly too late by now, but 5 and 1 are the notes u should omit, if it says play a 13 or an 11 get those notes AS WELL AS the 3rd and the 7th, as long as the bass is doing his job to get 1 and 5, 5 isn't a really widely used interval in jazz. so concentrate on the 3 and 7 and any extensions u can nab with your fingers

[StopTheMoti0n]

thanks, it does help lol, sept the jazz concert it a few days away so ill work on that in the spring

[Lutemann]

@StopTheMoti0n You don't need to play extended chords unless you absolutely want to. if you wanted to play a E7b5b9 you would play just a few of the extended notes, but make sure these extended notes create a consonant chord. In this instance you could play a Bb7.

[chengharp]

that,s got fluency

[rbgtr]

It's OK, but Freddy Green didn't really play like that. Look at Michael Petersen's site. He has that style down and has taken the pains to communicate it the way it was. MP is also writing a book on Green with Green's family.

[Lutemann]

You are correct,but you would never be able to master Green's style unless you could do what I do.

[Lutemann]

You need to look for some books out there that have a CD.

[27sevenSToFo]

can you recomend any dvds on swingguitar? I want to learn how to clay the chords better and instead of looking to learn from a tutor I'd rather sit comfortably in my own home learning at my own pase.

[Darrrniel]

great timing!

[Lutemann]

That's "Band In A Box" imitating Basie in the background.

[FatManOWNSatBARI]

what basie chart is that playing in the background and what album is it off of?

[BigUglyGirl]

didnt freddie green play the chord in quarter notes in a different voice on every beat at times?

[Lutemann]

Yes.

[etfgert43t]

at times.

[wholeNother1017]

Nice job; for anyone looking for instruction in this style there is a terrific book & CD set published by Hal Leonard titled "Swing & Big Band Guitar - Four-to-the-Bar Comping in the Style of Freddie Green", by Charlton Johnson, who toured with the Basie Orchestra for several years.

[Lutemann]

Thanks, I'll get that book. Might be fun.

[Pickinbuddy]

nice lesson!

Thanks!

[b5b9]

Thanks! This is great stuff, not just for its rarity but for its content. I've checked out your charts on other clips. Good, solid information...Do you have anything in print form?

[Lutemann]

Yes, I have a book on big band comping. to see part of it do a search for

big band rhythm guitar murdick

[elliotlovesfox]

that was pretty good timing

[tumbalatinboy]

that its like dropp cords

[TonyMorris]

Very nice, Kent!

[Lutemann]

Thanks, Tony. I almost never get to play that style because it really only works with big band playing. I play mostly plectrum banjo for street music.