Throughout my years of singing, I have experienced a wide variety of music accompanists with various instruments, music talent, personalities, and experience.

Music accompanying is a craft within itself. An accompanist may embrace your lyrics, some leave
you no space for phrasing and creativity; some are sensitive to your expression, others play too
loudly on everything, or are too reserved and lack passion and dynamics; some interact musically 
with you, while others lead all of the time and assume you don't know musically what to do, or
think it's a competition and their egos shadow the music. It can be a wonderful, magical, loving,
creative experience, or just...okay, or painful to get through the gig. Like every vocalist, I have my
favorites for the right reasons, and they remain memorable. Some pushed me musically and I
stretched vocally and learned! Together we knew it was about the music in the moment. 
                                                                                                                                                                                   
Accomplished keyboard artist, Bill Boublitz, was asked 'what makes a good accompanist'?
Here is the perfect response.

                                                                     ~

“I usually laugh to myself because when asked ‘How do you accompany a vocalist?’ 
My answer is a simple one...

One Word; L-I-S-T-E-N.  So simple, but how easy musicians forget. 

To Listen is the key.  All else flows from that.  The task is to create, support and enhance dialog. 
Music is a language.  You can't engage in meaningful dialog if you're not listening. 'Talk' musically
with the vocalist.  In other words, wait for the 'holes', the space between phrases. There is where
you play, and what you play needs to create, support and enhance the melodic line as well as the
color of the voice. Think in language.  It may be chords or notes, but they function such that they can 'comment' on a previous phrase, 'ask a question' to set up the next phrase, on and on...
the analogies can flow forever. 

Once you can establish this kind of dialog, it can grow to more complex levels, where you might
play under the phrase to support the curve or shape of the melodic line, even over the phrase 
(higher in pitch). Once you've established a rhythmic syntax, you can then spread your concept
to other areas, like color.  I might play dense block chords behind a robust alto, but those textures
would be out of place with a thin texture soprano voice.  What you play all depends on the match,
the relationship, the dialog. 

Anything is possible as long as you're listening.  When the listening stops the music
(or lack thereof) becomes like listening to a noisy crowd in a restaurant.  Everyone is in their
own world talking and it's hard to hear above the din.

Too many pianists are concerned with ego; being heard, showing off.  There is no music there. 
I'm reminded of a documentary I watched on Ella Fitzgerald's life, made shortly after her death. 
They were interviewing Tommy Flanagan... no slouch there (!).  Tommy could play enough notes
 for Coltrane.  But he was also one of the most reserved accompanists, playing only what was
needed, asked for by the music.  He told this marvelous story about the first night he worked
behind Ella.  He was young, all pumped up and excited for the opportunity.  The first tune was
counted off and he just jumped right on it.  He talked about how he played all his hottest ideas
and gave it everything to impress with each note.  After the first tune was over, Ella turned
around and stared right at him.  'Well, if that's the way it's gonna' be, I'm quittin' this business!’,
she glared.  The way Tommy told it was priceless.  He said, 'That was my music lesson and
boy, did I ever get it together after that one.'

So.... Shhh...listen!"

                                        Visit Bill Boublitz and his music.         www.billboublitz.com

                                                                                                        www.fivechimemusic.com