Ah, the art of "chord skipping" -- hey, its jazz.

Not only can you simply not play chords in a dense section, but if you listen hard to the comping of many great jazz guitar (and piano) players, you will find that they often play the SAME chord where the chart specifies another. There are rules to this, the ear is the final determining factor, though.

In Jazz forms, learn the tritone subs and also the "shell" fingerings for the guitar, most of which are based on the "inside chord" fingerings.

You don't have to play a full course six-note chord (or 5...) and as a matter of fact, in jazz it is umdesirable to do so most of the time. Two, Three and four note chords that don't contain any more information that is needed to imply the chord is the word of the day.

For example, when I come across a C7 chord and am reading on guitar, a comping section, I might just grab a Bb and an E, the flat 7th and 3rd of the chord. The bass is likely handling the root, so having two stringed instruments play the root is too heavy for jazz work and redundant besides.

Less is more.

OF COURSE, there are study guides and lessons available on this style of comping, highly recommended. Some are likely to be postee online somewhere for free and can get one started on that path, others may cost money.

The PGMusic Jazz Guitar series is EXCELLENT, BTW, well worth the small amount of money it costs, and like having a live jazz guitar teacher at your beck and call 24/7 if you take the time to work with the program it will pay off.


--Mac

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