I consider myself somewhere in the middle between Chas and many that simply use the left hand to designate chords. Chas is right about LH comping being a learned process. I started when I played organ only, and needed some sort of rhythmic movement. I started with simple 9th,aug, 8th, and experimented. I started to learn running bass lines, but no cigar. I have started to use more piano for LH, and this is where it really comes in handy. Everything is a learning process, but one has to keep at it.
Bernie, I would like to encourage you to not give up walking bass. I know, it's really hard. It's taken me years to get to the point where I can walk a bass line over a jazz/ blues progression with turn arounds while my right hand improvises.
I'd recommend to start the basic I, IV V ( 3 chord blues) and learn some basic boogie left hand patterns and just play chords in the right hand. Once that is solid start adding some easy melodies, like C Jam Blues. Another tip I can give you is play a walking bass line and sing what you right would be playing with the right hand. It's a good way to trick the brain so the coordination comes a bit easier.
My goal is to walk bass lines in my LH, while the RH plays melodies and improvises over standards like "All The Things You are" "Autumn Leaves " but I'm still a long way from that goal, but I'm such a stubborn/ hardheaded bastard that the only thing that will stop me is death or some kind of illness, hopefully none of things happen too soon!
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