Accompaniment

In music accompaniment is the art of playing along with a soloist or ensemble in a supporting manner. The term is also used to describe the music thus played. Accompaniment figures are gestures used repeatedly in the accompaniment, such as Alberti bass or other arpeggios.

Harmonic accompaniment is music played to accompany a melody line; it is usually chordal and played by such instruments as (acoustic or electric) guitar, piano, organ and bass guitar, but it can also be played by instruments that ordinary play the melody, such as the violin.