Applied Theory: Unit 4:

Writing An Accompaniment Part

While the Bass Line establishes the harmonic Root of each measure, it is often up to the Accompaniment parts to provide the details of the Harmony. (Major or minor, 7th chord, etc.)

The Accompaniment Part can also be used to :

• re-inforce the Melody
• re-inforce the Basic Rhthym
• provide contrast to the Melody
• provide complexity to the Basic Rhythm.

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  Assignment:
  
  1) For the Previous Assignment (Bass Part) write Accompaniment Parts for 3 instruments.

OR

2) Open : 4Students (I): out: thompson: Music1~1: mustime: accomp.mus and write Accompaniment Parts for 3 instruments.

Some Hints:

• Try to keep the “accompaniment” lower than the melody. If that is impossilble than make sure that the Melody is not “buried” by the accompaniment. (Dynamics, instrumentation, etc.)
• The Bass Line should be the “lowest part.”
• Don’t have more than one contrasting rhythm. (ie. counter- melody)
• Start with some simple ideas and see how you can make these ideas work.
• Always think MUSICALLY.