Learning Ukulele with Curt
Jazz Ukulele: Comping
Comping – short for accompaniment is simply the music and instruments that are "accompanying" the melody. Typically a term used by jazz musicians and done by the musicians playing an instrument capable of playing chords, harmonically, ie: multiple notes at a time. The ukulele like the guitar and piano is one such instruments. Comping is Chord Voicings and Rhythm
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9 August 2026
Comping
– short for accompaniment is typically on a chordal instrument such as piano, guitar, ukulele, to support a soloist or ensemble. It involves playing chords, chordal fragments, or rhythmic patterns that complement the soloist's improvisation or the overall musical texture. Comping is an essential skill for jazz musicians, as it helps to create a harmonic framework and rhythmic groove for the music, while also interacting dynamically with the soloist or other musicians in the ensemble.
It's the Chords and the style ( Rhythm ) that you play the chords that comprise comping. Typically improvised depending on the style of music being played.
Start with the lesson Core Chords – The Big Six – Building a Solid Chord Foundation for building your 4-part contemporary chord foundation and the Modular Phonetic Rhythm, The Foundation and Workbook 1 below.
Core Chords - The Big Six - Building a Solid Chord Foundation
The Big Six Core Chords is a series of lessons for building your core, essential 4-part chords. These chords commonly called jazz chords, are really just 4-part chords used in a wide range of musical styles. These chords include: Seventh , Major Seventh, Minor Seventh, Half Diminished Seventh or Minor Seven Flat Five, Diminished Seventh, and Augmented Seventh. These six chords form a core set of chords.
For rhythmic styles start with the Modular Phonetic Rhythm books and series of lessons I have available.
Modular Phonetic Rhythm, The Foundation and Workbook 1
Modular Phonetic Rhythm represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm.
`Ukulele Strums and The Modular Phonetic Rhythm System
Strums are Inseparably Linked to Rhythm. Any strum can be broken down to its Modular Phonetic rhythmic syllables. Modular Phonetic Rhythm, by Chuck Anderson is a system for learning rhythm. It teaches rhythm phonetically - just as language does. Remember 'Strums ARE rhythm'
