Elements of Jazz Drum Comping: Shaping musical form and dramaturgy

Lukkarinen, Jaakko
Title: Elements of Jazz Drum Comping: Shaping musical form and dramaturgy
Authors: Lukkarinen, Jaakko (Author)
Product number: 9789523294196
Product form: Paperback
Availability: Delivery in 1-3 workdays
Publication date: 13.5.2026
Price per piece: 20,00 € (17,62 € vat 0 %)

Publisher: Taideyliopiston Sibelius-Akatemia
Series: EST 95
Edition: 1. edition, 2026
Publication year: 2026
Language: English
Pages: 135
Product family: Sibelius Academy's publication
Finnish library classification: 78.1 Musiikin tutkimus
Key words: comping, jazz drum comping, accompaniment, musical form, musical dramaturgy, artistic research, improvisation
This artistic research project explores jazz drum comping and its vital role in shaping musical form and performance dramaturgy. Blending theory and practice based artistic research, the study examines how a jazz drummer interprets, supports, and interacts with evolving musical structures.

At its core are five key elements of comping—goosing, active accenting, structuring the form, riffing, and intuitive call and response—identified through an in-depth analysis of the playing of Philly Joe Jones in peer-reviewed article Breaking Down Five Core Elements of the Improvised Comping of Philly Joe Jones (2024). These concepts are brought to life through a combination of research and artistic output in four performance-based projects: One for Joe (2022), Textures (2023), Odd Times (2024), and Rainbow Blue (2025).

Drawing on aural analysis, transcription, improvisation, and reflective practice, this work demonstrates how comping is both learned intuitively and applied creatively in performance. Rooted in the Hard Bop tradition of the 1950s yet highly relevant today, the findings offer valuable insight into the drummer's role as an accompanist.
Ultimately, this study positions comping as more than rhythmic support—as an expressive, interpretive, and deeply communicative musical act.