I am probably considered a newbie.
I have my -7 -7b5 M7 and 7s drop 2s 3s on 6432 top middle and bottom 4. pretty good.
Im ok with the major scale and getting to know harmonic minor
And work my arpeggios with the inversions.
So where should i start. My end goal is to play chord melody with a singer. I like the stuff Joe Pass with Ella Fitzgerald type sound.
I dont understand modes at all.
Whats my next step?

Thanks ok I'll do that.
Chip

Playing in a setting where guitar is the only instrument used to accompany a singer is a different approach than typical comping where you have other instruments creating harmony. You are free to use the lower register of the instrument that is usually occupied by the bass. A good way to practice is to just take a lead sheet from Real Book or something and create chord melodies with the information you already have. You will need to raise the melody an octave so you can get those notes on the high strings. The melody line will often be an extension or alteration that you may not want to duplicate with a singer. You also need to be mindful of alterations that may rub against the melody.

When there is no singing you have the freedom of altering/substituting however you want. If you want to fill more space, you can take a look at the walking bass line stuff (I think there is a lesson on this).

I have a singer im meeting with tomorrow. I hope to try walking a simple bass line behind her to see how that works.
Thank you

I will
I know we will try out
Sister Kate
Why don't you do right
I cant tell you why....eagles
Youd be so nice
Autumn leaves