Accompaniment

Accompanimentis themusical partwhich provides therhythmicand/orharmonicsupport for themelodyor main themes of asongor instrumental piece. There are many different styles and types of accompaniment in different genres and styles of music. Inhomophonic music,the main accompaniment approach used inpopular music,a clear vocal melody is supported by subordinatechords.Inpopular musicandtraditional music,the accompaniment parts typically provide the "beat" for the music and outline thechord progressionof the song or instrumental piece.

"Walking basslines",so-named because they rise and fall in a regular pattern, are a widely used style of accompanimentbasslineinjazz,bluesandrockabilly.Play

The accompaniment for a vocal melody or instrumental solo can be played by a single musician playing an instrument such aspiano,pipe organ,orguitar.While any instrument can in theory be used as an accompaniment instrument, keyboard and guitar-family instruments tend to be used if there is only a single instrument, as these instruments can play chords andbasslinessimultaneously (chords and a bassline are easier to play simultaneously on keyboard instruments, but afingerpickingguitarist can play chords and a bassline simultaneously on guitar). A solo singer can accompany themself by playing guitar or piano while they sing, and in some rare cases, a solo singer can even accompany themself just using their voice and body (e.g.,Bobby McFerrin).

Alternatively, the accompaniment to a vocal melody or instrumental solo can be provided by amusical ensemble,ranging in size from aduo(e.g., cello and piano; guitar and double bass;synthesizerand percussion); a trio (e.g., a rockpower trioofelectric guitar,electric bassanddrum kit;anorgan trio); a quartet (e.g., astring quartetinClassical musiccan accompany a solosinger;arock bandorrhythm sectionin rock and pop; ajazz quartetin jazz); all the way to larger ensembles, such asconcert bands,Big Bands(in jazz),pit orchestrasinmusical theatre;andorchestras,which, in addition to playingsymphonies,can also provide accompaniment to aconcertosolo instrumentalist or to solo singers inopera.Withchoral music,the accompaniment to a vocal solo can be provided by other singers in thechoir,who singharmony partsorcountermelodies.

Accompaniment parts range from so simple that a beginner can play them (e.g., simple three-notetriadchords in a traditional folk song) to so complex that only an advanced player or singer can perform them (e.g., the piano parts inSchubert'sLieder art songsfrom the 19th century or vocal parts from aRenaissance music motet).

Definition

Mozart'sPiano Sonata, K 545opening. The right hand plays the melody, which is in the top stave. The left hand plays the accompaniment part, which is in the lower stave. In the first bar of the accompaniment part, the pianist plays a C Major chord in the left hand; this chord isarpeggiated(i.e., a chord in which the notes are played one after the other, rather than simultaneously).Play

Anaccompanistis a musician who plays an accompaniment part. Accompanists often playkeyboard instruments(e.g.,piano,pipe organ,synthesizer) or, in folk music and traditional styles, aguitar.Whilesight-reading(the ability to play a notated piece of music without preparing it) is important for many types of musicians, it is essential for professional accompanists. In auditions for musical theater and orchestras, an accompanist will often have to sight read music.

A number ofclassical pianistshave found success as accompanists rather than soloists; arguably the best known example isGerald Moore,well known as aLiederaccompanist. In some American schools, the termcollaborative pianois used, and hence, the title "collaborative pianist" (or collaborative artist) is replacing the title accompanist, because in manyart songsandcontemporary classical musicsongs, the piano part is complex and demands an advanced level of musicianship and technique. The termaccompanistalso refers to a musician (typically a pianist) who plays for singers, dancers, and other performers at anauditionorrehearsal—but who does not necessarily participate in the ensemble that plays for the final performance (which might be anorchestraor abig band).

Accompaniment figure

Anaccompaniment figureis a musical gesture used repeatedly in an accompaniment, such as:

Alberti bassand otherarpeggiofigures
Ostinatifigures (repeated lines) or, in popular music,riffs

Notated accompaniment may be indicatedobbligato(obliged) orad libitum(at one's pleasure).

Dialogue accompaniment

Dialogue accompanimentis a form ofcall and responsein which the lead and accompaniment alternate, the accompaniment playing during therestsof the lead and providing adroneor silence during the main melody orvocal.^[1]

Notation and improvisation

The accompaniment instrumentalists and/or singers can be provided with a fully notated accompaniment part written or printed onsheet music.This is the norm inClassical musicand in most large ensemble writing (e.g.,orchestra,pit orchestra,choir). Inpopular musicandtraditional music,the accompaniment instrumentalists oftenimprovisetheir accompaniment, either based on alead sheetor chord chart which indicates thechordsused in thesongor piece (e.g., C Major, d minor, G7, orNashville Numbersor Roman numerals, such as I, ii, V7, etc.) or by "playing by ear".To achieve a stylistic correct sound the accompaniment pattern should remind or imitate the original version using similar rhythms and patterns.

Chord-playing musicians (e.g., those playingguitar,piano,Hammond organ,etc.) can improvise chords,"fill-in" melodic linesand solos from the chord chart. It is rare for chords to be fully written out in music notation in pop and traditional music. Some guitarists, bassists and other stringed instrumentalists read accompaniment parts usingtabulature(or "tab" ), a notation system which shows the musician where on the instrument to play the notes. Drummers can play accompaniment by following the lead sheet, a sheet music part in music notation, or by playing by ear.

In pop and traditional music, bass players, which may beupright bassorelectric bass,or another instrument, such asbass synth,depending on the style of music, are usually expected to be able to improvise abasslinefrom a chord chart or learn the song from a recording. In some cases, anarrangerorcomposermay give a bassist a bass part that is fully written out inmusic notation.In. some arranged music parts, there is a mix of written-out accompaniment and improvisation. For example, in abig bandbass part, the introduction and melody ( "head" ) to a tune may have a fully notated bassline, but then for the improvised solos, the arranger may just write out chord symbols (e.g., Bb G7/c min F7), with the expectation that the bassist improvise her ownwalking basspart.

References

^van der Merwe, Peter(1989).Origins of the Popular Style: The Antecedents of Twentieth-Century Popular Music,p.320. Oxford: Clarendon Press.ISBN 0-19-316121-4.

[1] van der Merwe, Peter(1989).Origins of the Popular Style: The Antecedents of Twentieth-Century Popular Music,p.320. Oxford: Clarendon Press.ISBN 0-19-316121-4.

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