Accompaniment Styles and Essential Vamps

So you've looked at a whole range of different accompaniment styles that you can use in any situation where you don't have a bass player because you'll be playing bass lines in the left hand.

Introduction to Important Vamps

In this checkpoint, we're going to explore just a few really important vamps that are associated with particular tunes. There's a PDF attached that includes about 20 different vamps. I'll just demonstrate a few of them.

Recognizable Vamps

• Killer Joe
  You'll hear this one if you listen to Benny Golson's tune, Killer Joe. It features an on-off chord in the right hand with a specific bass line.

• Cantaloupe Island
  Another recognizable bass line is from Cantaloupe Island, accompanied by comping in the right hand.

If you play either of these vamps, any jazz musician will know what tune you're going to play without you even needing to say the title. These grooves or rhythms are closely associated with the tunes and typically set them up effectively.

More Important Vamps

• Song for My Father
  An unmistakable bass line paired with a minor 9th chord (F minor 9) gives you the flavor of this tune.

• All Blues
  This is a very popular and well-known tune by Miles Davis. It features a kind of six-eight blues feel.

• Take Five
  Now, everyone will recognize Take Five by Dave Brubeck.

• Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
  Finally, I'll demonstrate Mercy, Mercy, Mercy by Cannonball Adderley, which was written by Joe Zawinul. This tune is in B flat and has a very recognizable refrain.

These are just a few of the vamps that you'll find in the PDF. I think there are around 20. Check them out, they will be very useful, I can assure you.

Listening Suggestions

Don't forget also to continue with your listening! I've suggested in the listening section of the PDF that you might want to check out comping, particularly in duo recordings.

Some notable duo recordings include:

• Bill Evans and Jim Hall
• Kenny Barron and Stan Getz

The piano players on these recordings are fantastic accompanists. When you're in a duo setting, there is a lot of pressure to deliver both bass and chords effectively in your accompaniment.

Walking Bass Lines

In terms of the bass line, several pianists have specialized in walking bass lines. For instance, you can look into:

• Gene Harris
• Lenny Tristano

You'll see all these references in the PDF.

Final Listening Recommendations

Finally, don't forget to listen to:

• Ella Fitzgerald singing All of Me
• Billie Holiday
• Ray Charles
• Aretha Franklin

Also, explore their versions of:

• Drowning My Own Tears
• One Note Samba (by Tom Jobim)

All of these are listed in the PDF as well. Enjoy your exploration!