comping solo with singer

[sam]

I've been trying to learn to accompany a singer solo on the guitar. We're doing standards. I'm finding it too challenging to provide the rhythm, harmony, and fills at the same time. I think a solo piano can do this well if the texture is thin enough. I’m getting ready to start transcribing some piano accompaniments but thought I’d ask for some tips here first. I realize that the piano can do things a guitar cannot. Broken chords and leading tones only go so far. It feels like I'm missing the bass. I haven't heard any recordings of this either. I can't be the first! So, besides looking for a good bassist and drummer, any suggestions?

[Tom]

Hey Sam
It sure is a challenge to make things sound full.
I still am not comfortable without a bass and another harmony instrument. You might check out Barney Kessel
with Julie London.

[shawn]

Right now I am writing solo arrangements for Jazz standards and such as well as solo arrangements for Christmas Carols so that I can play solo at cafes and such.

Some questions:
1) Are you familiar with Joe Pass? He did a lot of this stuff.
2) Do you know your theory? If not, we'll have to address this first.
3) Do you listen to any solo guitarist/arrangers? Including Barney Kessel, Joe Pass, A little Wes Montgomery, etc.

Then we can get started!!!

[kahbar]

Shawn,

Could you post some of your Christmas carol arrangements? I'm kind of curious to see how you have them arranged. If you don't want to post the melodies since it might be kind of difficult to do on the internet you could just chart out the chords.

Ex: Key of ?
Verse I II-7 IIIsus4
Chorus I IIdim V-

You get the idea ;D

Thanks,
Daniel

[shawn]

They're on my website. Here's the direct link: www.guitarstrickland.com/transcripts/Lessons.zip

[Qrious]

Shawn,

I was also interested in seeing the Christmas Carol arrangements, however, I got an error message when trying to access your site.

Is there a correct/alternate site.

Thanks,
Qrious

[mahayana]

Hi, Qrious.

Shawn hasn't posted in several months, and the link you tried is 3 years old. There's a newer one at his current profile, username houseofshawn.

www.shawnstrickland.net/

There are also some Christmas arrangements at the Resource page at References. Or maybe jazzalta could send you some?

Good to see you here.

[jazzalta]

Qrious, pm or email me and I'll send you some Christmas tunes. Also check out

www.acousticfingerstyle.com/midifil8.htm

Plenty of tunes over there.

[Qrious]

mahayanna,

Thanks for the info and the welcome!! I emailed jazzalta and am awaiting a response. I'll check out the sites you both mentioned.

Thanks again,
Qrious