How to Accompany a Performer

Accompaniment is incredibly different from playing. When you accompany, you have to cater your own music to someone else, which can be quite a challenge.

Steps

1.Learn to accept that you're not in charge. The biggest difference with accompaniment is that you're there to show off the soloist. If you're the type of musician who likes to throw in trills, glissandos, or other decoration, learn to stay away from that. It'll only distract the audience from the soloist.

2.Know your music well! When a piece calls for an accompanist, chances are it's rather difficult. Usually, the soloist is going to have to work hard to stick with you through the piece. If you don't know where you are, it's even harder for the soloist to get used to you. Know your piece backwards and forwards before you rehearse with the soloist.

3.Rehearse a lot beforehand, so that you know how the soloist takes any rubato, speed changes, etc. that may be in the piece.

4.Check your music. Rarely do you get an ideal accompaniment score. With instruments, you may be lucky and get an actual piece written for accompaniment. With vocalists, you may not be so fortunate. You may need to revise the score, so as to not overshadow the soloist, especially if you're playing out of a standard songbook. It's usually a bad idea to double the vocalist's part, so cut back on what you're playing if it seems to be overpowering.


5.Talk to your soloist! Some soloists want you to follow them, and others need you to keep a steady beat so that they have something to keep them on track. Everyone is different as to what they need, so simply ask. Your soloist can tell you what works best for him or her. You have to play "accompagnato" - following everything that they do.

6.Always follow the soloist. If they change the tempo, skip a measure, or start playing the song backwards, it's your job to follow them. This is their performance, so take your cues from them.