Guitar Accompaniment Information
Whether it's done on a front porch or in a packed stadium, sharing music with friends is a joyful experience. Guitar accompaniment provides its own challenges, but it is a great way to share a few songs. A musician can accompany himself or another singer with just a handful of chords and some basic technique. In the art of making music there is always more to learn.
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The Basics
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Accompanying yourself or another singer usually means playing a series of chords to a song, and an occasional instrumental lead. A good accompanist keeps the rhythm, fills out the sound, occasionally guides the vocalist, and keeps the music on track without taking away from the vocals. The best accompanists will have an ear tuned to what the vocalist is doing, and can respond to any changes a vocalist may make in a song.
Chord Progressions
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Chords are grouped by key, to harmonize with the singer's voice. But for the most part, unless the guitarist memorizes the song, he will work from a chord chart or tablature. Most music is played in keys of C, G, and E--an excellent key for male voices and often heard in country music. The key of C will usually have chords of C, F, and G or G7, while the key of G usually has G, C, and A or A7. The key of E normally has E, A, and B or B7, making it an easy key for guitarists to finger.
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Mechanical Help
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Many guitarists can get by with just a few keys, using a capo to cover the rest of the palette of chords. Putting a capo on the first fret while playing the E chord really gives you F, while on the third fret it is G.
Rhythm
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With some exceptions, song rhythm is pretty straightforward, usually an even tempo and four beats to the bar. The time structure is noted on the sheet music, though when working with an accompanist, the vocalist will usually set the rhythm. While playing, many guitarists will tap a foot to help keep themselves on the rhythm.
Who Leads, Who Follows
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Although it's fodder for many a musician's argument, in a simple accompaniment setup the singer will usually set the song's pace. The guitarist, though, is expected to stick to whatever rhythm is set and help keep the music focused.
Lead Lines
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Occasionally, an accompanist may opt to play a lead guitar line. This usually consists of single notes, picked out from the chords of the song. A guitarist may continue fingering out the chords but play single notes and pieces of the chords in between the singer's phrases and on any instrumental breaks. But while the vocalist is singing, the guitarist keeps to the chords and rhythm, without trying to compete with the vocals.
What Lessons Don't Always Teach
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While a musician can study the nuances of theory and break a song down to a mathematical formula, the main emphasis in playing music should be in making the song sound good. And, unless you're playing for a living--or even if you are playing for a living--making music should be fun.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit playing the guitar image by egirldesign from Fotolia.com
