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This Jazz Piano Tutorial is about Comping. 'Comping' means 'accompanying or complementing' a soloist.

While comping, you have 2 objectives:
Complement the soloist rhythmically AND harmonically
Stay out of the soloist’s way

Rhythm Rules
Your goal while comping is to create variety in your rhythm (unlike ‘Vamping’). This is done by:
Play with OR between the melody
Play on AND off the beat
Play short AND long notes

Harmony Rules
Alter and Substitute Chords
Add Ornamentals
Voicings Rules
Pick appropriate register for voicing (generally middle register) & get out of soloist’s way
Use intervals of 4ths or greater
You CAN play the root in the bass
Minimise movement between chords
Soprano Voice Leading

How to stay our of the soloist's way
Play in a different register to soloist
Use voicings with intervals of 4ths & wider
Use short notes with pauses – leaving open spaces for soloist
Don’t use overly complex harmonies/substitutions (at first)
Listen to the soloist – complement

In the video I use the song 'Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You' as an example of how to comp.

If you follow the rules and ideas laid out in this video, your comping will sound smooth and professional and tidy.

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