# Bossa nova comping

Interactive version: [`bossa-comping.html`](bossa-comping.html).

From theory: [Western theory · Chords](/theory/western/#chords). From the Rhythm room: [Timelines](/rhythm/timelines.md), [Bossa nova clave](/rhythm/catalogue.md), [Take it to your instrument](/rhythm/apply.md).

"Comping" (short for accompanying) is what a pianist plays under a singer or a soloist. In bossa nova it is two simple jobs at once. The **left hand** plays a slow, steady bass: a low note on beat 1 and another on beat 3. The **right hand** plays short chords that land in a pattern of gaps, called the *clave*. Neither hand is hard alone. The skill is keeping the left hand steady while the right hand jumps around it. This page builds it in five steps over three chords: C major 7, D minor 7 and G7.

## Before you start

A "7" chord is a normal chord with one more note stacked on top, which gives it the soft, jazzy sound that bossa nova lives on. [Other chord types](chord-types.md) explains where the extra note comes from.

| Chord | Notes | Left hand |
|-------|-------|-----------|
| C major 7 (Cmaj7) | C E G B | C, then G |
| D minor 7 (Dm7) | D F A C | D, then A |
| G7 | G B D F | G, then D |

The clave lasts two bars. Count each bar "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &". In the first bar the right hand plays on 1, the & of 2 and 4. In the second bar it plays on 2 and the & of 3. Clap it on your knees first, saying the count out loud.

Every exercise has buttons on the web page to hear each hand alone and both together. Learn the left hand alone, then the right hand alone, then both. Start at 50 and keep every chord short and light.

## Build it in pieces

### 1 · The left hand alone

Root on beat 1, fifth on beat 3, in every bar. Slow and even. Over the four bars the chord changes from C to D to G and back to C.

| Bar | Chord | Left hand | Right hand |
|-----|-------|-----------|------------|
| 1 | Cmaj7 | C on 1, G on 3 | rest |
| 2 | Dm7 | D on 1, A on 3 | rest |
| 3 | G7 | G on 1, D on 3 | rest |
| 4 | Cmaj7 | C on 1, G on 3 | rest |

Note values (q is a beat, e half a beat, a dot makes it half as long again, r is a rest): Left hand, every bar: h h

### 2 · The right hand alone, on one chord

Four bars of Cmaj7 and nothing else: the whole chord (C E G B) on the clave. Stay on one chord until the pattern feels automatic, and keep each hit short.

| Bar | Chord | Left hand | Right hand |
|-----|-------|-----------|------------|
| 1 | Cmaj7 | C on 1, G on 3 | C E G B on 1, the & of 2 and 4 |
| 2 | Cmaj7 | C on 1, G on 3 | C E G B on 2 and the & of 3 |
| 3 | Cmaj7 | C on 1, G on 3 | C E G B on 1, the & of 2 and 4 |
| 4 | Cmaj7 | C on 1, G on 3 | C E G B on 2 and the & of 3 |

Note values (q is a beat, e half a beat, a dot makes it half as long again, r is a rest): Left hand, every bar: h h · Right hand, bars 1 and 3: q. q. q · Right hand, bars 2 and 4: rq q. q.

### 3 · Both hands, three chords

The left hand does step 1 and the right hand does step 2, together, while the chords change every bar. The clave carries on across the changes. Do not let the left hand speed up when the right hand gets busy.

| Bar | Chord | Left hand | Right hand |
|-----|-------|-----------|------------|
| 1 | Cmaj7 | C on 1, G on 3 | C E G B on 1, the & of 2 and 4 |
| 2 | Dm7 | D on 1, A on 3 | D F A C on 2 and the & of 3 |
| 3 | G7 | G on 1, D on 3 | B D F G on 1, the & of 2 and 4 |
| 4 | Cmaj7 | C on 1, G on 3 | C E G B on 2 and the & of 3 |

Note values (q is a beat, e half a beat, a dot makes it half as long again, r is a rest): Left hand, every bar: h h · Right hand, bars 1 and 3: q. q. q · Right hand, bars 2 and 4: rq q. q.

## Make it smoother

### 4 · Two notes are enough

A pianist rarely plays all four notes. The two that matter most are the third and the seventh of the chord. Between Dm7 and G7 the F stays exactly where it is, and only the other note steps down. When your hand barely moves from chord to chord, the pattern sounds like one smooth line.

| Bar | Chord | Left hand | Right hand |
|-----|-------|-----------|------------|
| 1 | Cmaj7 | C on 1, G on 3 | E B on 1, the & of 2 and 4 |
| 2 | Dm7 | D on 1, A on 3 | F C on 2 and the & of 3 |
| 3 | G7 | G on 1, D on 3 | F B on 1, the & of 2 and 4 |
| 4 | Cmaj7 | C on 1, G on 3 | E B on 2 and the & of 3 |

Note values (q is a beat, e half a beat, a dot makes it half as long again, r is a rest): Left hand, every bar: h h · Right hand, bars 1 and 3: q. q. q · Right hand, bars 2 and 4: rq q. q.

### 5 · Start on the other side

The same chords, but the clave starts on its two-hit bar. A song can start on either side, and a pianist joining a band has to find out which one by ear. Practise both.

| Bar | Chord | Left hand | Right hand |
|-----|-------|-----------|------------|
| 1 | Cmaj7 | C on 1, G on 3 | E B on 2 and the & of 3 |
| 2 | Dm7 | D on 1, A on 3 | F C on 1, the & of 2 and 4 |
| 3 | G7 | G on 1, D on 3 | F B on 2 and the & of 3 |
| 4 | Cmaj7 | C on 1, G on 3 | E B on 1, the & of 2 and 4 |

Note values (q is a beat, e half a beat, a dot makes it half as long again, r is a rest): Left hand, every bar: h h · Right hand, bars 1 and 3: rq q. q. · Right hand, bars 2 and 4: q. q. q

## Ready when

- You can play step 3 for four rounds at 60 without the left hand moving when the right hand does.
- You can play step 4 and hear that the F stays put between D minor 7 and G7.
- You can start step 5 on the two-hit bar and still land on the right chord in bar 3.

Other instruments: [Guitar · Bossa nova and Latin comping](/guitar/latin.md), [Drums · Timelines](/drums/timelines.md). The left-hand rhythms on their own are on [Rhythm in the hands](rhythm-hands.md).