Soloists (aka hirn players) should also have a sense of how to comp
so that they can communicate what they like to hear behind them when
they solo. I don't like being told how to accompany but I do appreciate
when someone points out general things about the way they hear
the chords behind them.
I especially like to hear fewer well-placed chrods that give
my solo a boost...I like when the accompanist takes some chances
behind me, especially rhythmically.
You mentioned Jim McNeely...he and I used to get together to
play some duos, especiallyon his tunes. I found hiscomping to be
exactly what I like in a player. We talked about it some; he had
some great ideas. But I found it, as a guitarist, very difficult
to assist his solo in the way he assisted mine.
How does one accompany a pianist anyway?
Ed