Playing, Part 2
Chapter 14: “Comping” from a Fake Book
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Learn to accompany from a fake book — what 'comping' is, the two stages of 'faking it', and upper-structure triad voicings applied to real songs.
What Is “Comping” from a Fake Book?
Get to grips with comping and fake books, learning how lead sheets give you just melody, lyrics, and chord symbols to improvise your own accompaniment.
The Two Stages to “Faking It”
Begin the art of "faking it," turning a bare chord chart into your own piano comping arrangement built straight from the chord symbols.
Introduction to “Upper Structure” Triad Voicings
Learn upper-structure voicings — playing a triad over a bass root — as a faster, easier way to grab big four-part and larger chords while comping.
Applying the Techniques to Songs
See comping techniques at work on real songs, starting with the Beatles' instantly recognizable "Let It Be" piano figure and its octave doubling and upper-structure voicings.
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Chapter 11: Combining the Left and Right Hands
Put both hands together — share the melody, add single notes and triads in the left hand, and shape your sound with the damper pedal.
Chapter 15: Playing the Melody from a Fake Book
Play melody and harmony together from a fake book — advanced left-hand arpeggio patterns and several ways to voice chords beneath the tune.