Thanks to you Paul.  As a result of this lesson, I went out and got myself a book, "Swing and Big Bank Guitar" by Charlton Johnson, which covers this type of comping.  A lot of stuff to continue on from here, but I'm retired so nothing but time.  Love that swing guitar stuff.  Hopefully Duke you can fit in Kansas city guitar solo in the future, also other suggestion, The Lonesome Road, and Can't give you anything but Love (Swing Style), Blue Moon, Blueberry Hill (L. Armstrong version) just a few suggestions. Thanks, Chuck

Thanks for the feedback Duke on an earlier ques.  If I may ask, Paul is that a 350 model and what is the white thing hanging at the tail piece.  I have been interested in getting an archtop and have been looking at the Eastman models.  If I can manage to get one, what string guage would you recommend, I'm thinking of one with the neck pick up only.  I sure like the sound of the one your playing and wonder about strings, i.e. acousitc or elec, flat wounds, etc. No need to mention a brand if that's a no no. Also, Duke, I have just received my copy of Swingin Sessions CD from amazon and enjoy it.  The song, The Lonseome road has long been a favorite. My own preference is a little slower, jazzy feel but either way, a great song.  Maybe something for a future lesson.  Thanks, Chuck

Great stuff Paul.  This is the first time I had someone explain the idea of seeing the chords behind the solo being played, should make it easier to find the notes, I think.  Man I love that guitar.  Looking forward to next weeks lesson.

Man after my own heart.  It always upsets me when good guitarists, stray so far from the melody that first attracted them/us to the song in the first place.  What your teaching here is exactly what I wanted to learn, so I finally have something to work with .Sure wish I lived closer so I could work directly with you.  There are always so many things that come to mind when I practise, with no one to discuss with. But these lessons are a big help. I could give you a long list of songs I'd like to work on, but I'm sure you have lots already.  Still, if I can master some of the stuff already here, I'll be a happy camper. So you guys keep up the good work.  And thanks, Chuck

Hi guys, hope I'm not being a pest, but so many things are of interest to me.  In addition to wanting to be a great melody and improv player, I want to be a great "comp" player.  One of the styles I like, you might find on some of the old Mills Bros music, I'm not sure but it might be called alternate bass.  I found some things on utube but can't quite figure it out.  It looks like the bass lines are taken right from the chord being played.  It occured to me that this song mighrt be a good one to use for examples. You mentioned you were going to show some more comping styles, hope you can fit this into the sessions. If not, not problem, I'm really enjoying the lessons, so lot's to work on. Thanks again, Chuck

Great stuff Duke, this is the kind of playing that attracted me to guitar. Waited too late in life to get into it, but glad I started anyway. I can see I'm going to have to pick up a couple of these CD's so I can get the melody locked in my "ear"  Is there an easy way to memorise chord progressions, it all looks so easy, but I sure have a hard time remembering where to go next, if I don't have a sheet in front of me?  Hope you heal soon, but Paul does a good job, personaly I would enjoy more of this kind of music.  I recently came across a CD called "Moonglow" by Swing Soniq.  Great swing guitar in my humble opinion, If you haven't heard it, might be worth a listen. Thanks