(verb or noun) A musical figure of speech used especially in jazz performance which refers to the act of playing chords, usually in parallel with a solo melody. Thus comping is done with instruments like a piano or guitar. Good jazz comping is rhythmically interesting, harmonically varied and provides appropriate background to the melody and foreground to the bass line and percussion. Origin unknown; perhaps an abbreviation of compose.

Though I think this could have been done in one writeup, I like the idea.

The origin, it seems to me, is accompanying, or accompaniment.

Of course, not limited to jazz, but any time--in my case--a keyboard, piano, or synthesizer is used to accompany, another instrument or instruments, or a voice.

Even, and especially, when I work up a comp for myself when I sing, say Satin Doll by Duke Ellington, As Tears Go By by the Rolling Stones, or my own stuff.

I'm teaching a young student of mine this now. She has the most large voice, and will be overwhelming when she can do her own comping

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.