Accompaniment facts for kids
In music, an accompaniment is music that goes along with something else. Think of it as a musical partner!
Most songs and pieces of music have a main melody (the tune you hum) and an accompaniment. The accompaniment usually supports the melody. It helps the melody sound fuller and more interesting.
Sometimes, one instrument plays the tune, and another plays the accompaniment. For example, a singer might sing the melody while a piano plays the accompaniment. On a piano, a pianist might play the tune with their right hand and the accompaniment with their left.
The accompaniment doesn't always have to be quieter than the tune. But it should never be so loud that it "drowns out" the main melody. The goal is to make the melody shine!
Accompaniments can be made of single notes, chords, or even other tunes. They help us understand the harmony (how different notes sound good together). Sometimes, an accompaniment is another melody played at the same time, which is called counterpoint. Not all music needs accompaniment; some folk songs, for instance, are sung without any instruments.
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Who Plays Accompaniment?
The person who plays an accompaniment is called an accompanist. In Western music, the piano is a very popular instrument for accompanying. A skilled pianist can accompany many different instruments, like a violin, cello, oboe, trumpet, or even a whole choir.
Good accompanists listen very carefully to the main performer. They play with the same feeling and style to make the music sound great together.
Accompaniment in Different Music Styles
Accompaniment is used in many types of music:
- When a soloist plays a concerto, the orchestra acts as the accompanist.
- An organist playing a hymn is accompanying the congregation (the people singing).
- A percussion player in a rock band supports the lead instruments.
Many instruments are used for accompaniment. Guitars and electric keyboards are common today. In the past, instruments like the lute and harp were popular for accompanying singers. During the Baroque period, the basso continuo was a common accompaniment. This usually involved a harpsichord or organ playing chords, with a cello or bassoon playing the bass line.
The Importance of Accompanists
For a long time, people didn't always realize how important accompanists were. For example, in the 1920s, the name of the accompanist might not even be printed in a concert program. Audiences sometimes started clapping for a singer before the piano part was even finished!
However, famous pianists like Gerald Moore helped change this view. He showed everyone that the piano parts in songs by composers like Schubert and Wolf are just as important as the singing. A great performance can be ruined by a bad accompaniment, and a good one can make the music truly shine!
Images for kids
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A waltz often uses an "oom-pah-pah" accompaniment.
See also
In Spanish: Acompañamiento musical para niños
