In the Fall of 2004, Trey Wright finished his first book, Blues
Comping: An Introduction to Jazz Chords for the Guitar, published
by AIM press. Although the book is still being edited, it is currently
being used as a textbook for the Performance Counseling 2 and
Performance Counseling 3 courses at the Atlanta Institute of
Music. Trey is currently discussing a publishing deal for the book
with a major publisher, so keep your fingers crossed!
The book introduces jazz harmony and chord voicings for the guitar
through a common form, the blues. Beginning with a I-IV-V blues in
the guitar key of E, Trey introduces jazz keys (F and Bb), 9th and
13th voicings, diminished chords, rootless voicings, comping
rhythms, and ii – V7 progessions. The book includes a chord
syllabus and guitar voicings for common progressions. Trey hopes
to have the book available for sale in fall of 2006. The table of
contents is listed below:
Blues Comping: An introduction to Jazz Chords
By Trey Wright
Contents:
Part I: Comping the Blues: I7-IV7-V7
1. Introducing the Blues
2. Shell Voicings/ Quarter Note Comping
3. 9th and 13th Voicings
4. Half-step Approach Chords
5. Comping Rhythms
6. Rootless Voicings
Part II: Jazz Changes
7. Diminished Chords
8. Dominant 7th Altered Chords
9. ii-7 V7 Progressions
10. VI7alt
11. Turnarounds
12. Other 9th and 13th Voicings
13. The Minor Blues Progression
Part III: Combining Bass Lines and Chords
14. “2” Feel Bass Lines
15. Walking I-IV-V and Jazz Changes
Part IV: Putting It All Together: Beyond the Blues
16. Effective Comping Strategies
17. Practicing
Appendix I: Chord Syllabus
Appendix II: Comping ii-7 V7 I and ii-7b5 V7alt i-7 progressions.
