Jazz Chording and Comping: Core Skills (JamPlay)

Jazz guitar can feel like a mystery to many players, but unlocking its language starts with two essential skills: chording and comping. In Jazz Chording and Comping: Core Skills, renowned guitarist Marcelo Berestovoy breaks down the key techniques and concepts that form the backbone of playing in any jazz setting—giving you the tools to comp with confidence, clarity, and creativity.

This course is designed to make the fundamentals of jazz harmony approachable and practical. Marcelo begins with a review of essential triads before guiding you through 4-note chords, shell voicings, and II-V-I progressions. You’ll learn how to build and voice chords that support improvisation, interact with the rhythm section, and add color through extensions, altered dominants, and substitutions. Each lesson pairs theory with application, helping you make immediate use of what you learn in real-world musical situations.

You’ll also explore a range of stylistic flavors—from bebop and swing to Latin jazz and ballads—while developing your rhythmic vocabulary and comping feel. Marcelo introduces walking basslines, syncopated patterns, and Joe Pass-style chromatic approaches, all with the goal of helping you think and sound like a complete rhythm guitarist. You'll even dive into chord melody playing and learn how to function as a one-person rhythm section with the guitar holding down the harmony, groove, and feel.

Whether you’re just stepping into the world of jazz or looking to strengthen your rhythmic role in a combo or ensemble, Jazz Chording and Comping: Core Skills gives you the confidence and vocabulary to hold your own in any jam, rehearsal, or performance.