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Accompaniment is the instrumental or vocal part that supports a melody or solo performer. Its purpose is to provide the harmony, rhythm and musical foundation that allows the main melody to stand out.
What is accompaniment?
Accompaniment can be as simple as a single guitar or piano, or as complex as a full band or orchestra. In most pop, rock and contemporary music, the accompaniment combines chords and rhythm to establish the song’s style, tempo and overall feel.
A good accompaniment supports the melody without overpowering it. The balance between melody and accompaniment is an essential part of musical performance and arranging.
How is accompaniment used in piano playing?
For many piano players, accompaniment is one of the most important skills to develop. It usually involves playing chord patterns that support a singer or another instrument while maintaining a steady rhythm.
A common approach is to play bass notes with the left hand and chord voicings with the right hand. As your piano skills improve, you can create more varied accompaniment patterns that add movement, expression and musical interest while continuing to support the melody.