Mastering Quartal Harmony: A Jazz Guitar Comping Lesson on "So What"

Quartal Harmony:

Quartal harmony, also known as harmony of fourths, is a unique approach to chord construction that uses intervals of fourths instead of the traditional thirds. This creates a distinctive sound, often described as spacious, modern, and sometimes dissonant. It's a powerful tool for creating unique harmonic textures and colors in your playing.

In this lesson, we will explore various quartal voicings, focusing on how to build and connect them smoothly. We'll examine different inversions and extensions to add depth and complexity to your harmonic palette.

Comping Techniques:

Comping is the art of accompanying a soloist or melody with rhythmic chords and figures. It's a crucial skill for any jazz guitarist. Effective comping requires a balance of rhythmic precision, harmonic awareness, and sensitivity to the musical context.

We will delve into various comping patterns and approaches, emphasizing the use of quartal harmony to create interesting and sophisticated accompaniments. We'll explore different rhythmic feels, from straight eighth notes to more syncopated rhythms, and how to adapt your comping to the style and mood of the music.

Putting it Together:

The combination of quartal harmony and skillful comping opens up a world of creative possibilities. We'll demonstrate how to seamlessly integrate these techniques, creating rich and engaging musical textures. This lesson will provide you with the tools and understanding to confidently incorporate quartal harmony into your own comping and improvisational playing.