• 1994 - "Guitar & Bass Essentials," Kawai Music Press

• Excerpt from "Solo Guitar Accompaniment" an article in Tune Up Magazine

Developing the ability to provide sensitive and sympathetic accompaniment is an important and often neglected skill area that requires special consideration. The shared musical approach introduces a dynamic that can be compared to the team effort in any situation. Placing oneself in a position in which it is vitally important to accommodate another point of view can be unsettling to say the least, but the rewards of this challenge can also be inspiring and uniquely satisfying. It may seem obvious, but the first step is to know the song well. This means having a working knowledge of where the chord changes take place in relation to the melodic sequence. Begin with a set of basic ("stock") chord changes, eventually working up to the use of substitute and interpolated chords, reharmonization techniques, and other harmonic embellishments. You should be able to play or sing the melody, and also familiarize yourself with the lyrics. Their emotional content can be an invaluable source of insight and direction. Jazz masters have often cited their knowledge of the lyrics of a tune as being an indispensable reference, not only for the obvious topical aid they provide, but also for their value as a guide for phrasing and interpretation of the melody. Be sure that you are well aware of the points at which you (as the accompanist) must sound the next chord to provide the soloist with the necessary cue to begin the next phrase, especially when playing rubato (out of time). Control of the ebb and flow of the time is a cooperative endeavor in rubato playing that requires much trial and error and could be compared to the process of learning ballroom dancing with a partner. The pushing and pulling and all of the uncomfortable feelings that the time is moving in spurts are overcome only with experience and perseverance.

Continued