Re: Comping: pick vs. fingers

On 2006-04-11 22:37:16 -0700, "Jeff" <z_entropy@xxxxxxxxxxx> said:

Do you use a pick or your fingers when playing four-to-the-bar style
comping?

Sure.

I find that when I use a pick, I get a harsh sound, unpleasant sound
unlike the warm, smooth tones I hear on most jazz records. When I
either strum with my thumb or pluck with my fingers and thumb, I get a
much nicer, warmer tone. I find that trying to strum evenly with my
thumb is difficult, however. I've been using 1.00 mm Clayton acetal
jazz picks for quite a while, but I've experimented with others.

Browsing through a couple of books with some photos of jazz guitarists,
it looks like Freddie Green, Charlie Christian, Kenny Burrell, Barney
Kessel and Tal Farlow all us epicks. Any knowledgeable folks care to
discuss how some of the jazz greats comp? Do you prefer to comp with a
pick or fingers?

Read Barry Galbraith's "Comping". Just a wonderful book, but it will also give you some great examples of comping with a pick.

Does the type of guitar (archtop vs. solidbody) make *that* much of a
difference? I only have solidbody guitars (a Strat and a Les Paul). I'd
love to buy an archtop someday, but I feel I need to get some more
playing time under my belt before I'm sure what I want.

I think the problem might be in your ears. If you turn the amp down and turn the band up you get a better idea of what it's supposed to sound like. I'm unsure what you mean by "harsh". I only ever use a very stiff pick, but comping is comping, with fingers or without.

With fingers I tend to do more see-saw things with a middle voice or higher voice. With a pick I tend toward more passages with double stops, 3rds and 6th's. But mostly it's the same general stuff.
--
What a day this has been, what a rare mood I'm in.

.

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