accompanists
Players backing soloists
Accompanists are musicians who play instrumental support for a soloist, choir, or other performers.
The role typically falls to pianists, though any instrument can accompany.
An accompanist follows the lead performer's tempo and interpretation while providing harmonic foundation: The accompanist sight-read the difficult score flawlessly.
One who plays piano
- organistPipe keyboard performer
- guitaristOne who plays six strings
- harpistOne who plucks a lyre's large cousin
- cellistBowed-string musician
violinist · keyboardist · flutist · clarinetist · percussionist · bassist · accordionist · lutenist
To uphold or sustain
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- collaboratorOne who works jointly
- partnerOne who shares activity
- assistantOne who aids another
aide · second · facilitator · shadow · follower · understudy · coach
Large instrumental ensemble
- quartetEnsemble of four
- choirOrganized group of singers
- bandGroup playing music together
- trioGroup of three
duo · symphony · opera company · recital · concert · musical theater · chorus
Performing unrehearsed notation
- transpositionSwapping positions of elements
- dynamicsStudy of forces
- tempoRate of musical performance
- cuesSignals prompting action
phrasing · rubato · balance · listening · sensitivity · rhythm · modulation · improvisation
pianist
One who plays piano
- organistPipe keyboard performer
- guitaristOne who plays six strings
- harpistOne who plucks a lyre's large cousin
cellist · violinist · keyboardist · flutist · clarinetist · percussionist · bassist · accordionist · lutenist · harpsichordist
support
To uphold or sustain
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- collaboratorOne who works jointly
- partnerOne who shares activity
assistant · aide · second · facilitator · shadow · follower · understudy · coach
orchestra
Large instrumental ensemble
trio · duo · symphony · opera company · recital · concert · musical theater · chorus
sight-reading
Performing unrehearsed notation
- transpositionSwapping positions of elements
- dynamicsStudy of forces
- tempoRate of musical performance
cues · phrasing · rubato · balance · listening · sensitivity · rhythm · modulation · improvisation · vamp
- keyboard playerspianist, pianists, organist, organists, harpsichordists
- performersactor, dancer, actress, singer, musician
- maestrosconductors, music directors, symphony conductors, bandleaders, band leaders
accompanistssoloists
Featured individual musicians
headliners · lead vocalists · frontmen · stars · virtuosos