Mark Henderson answered
Chord vamping or Ostinato is a persistently-repeated chord. It is a succession of equal sounds which is usually used as a base over which other musicians can improvise.
Chord vamping was heavily used in the Baroque period (1600 - 1750) of western music. Since then the technique had fallen out of favor until the development of jazz music in the 20th century.
Uses of chord vamping
- In jazz music, it is used as a harmonic framework upon which to improvise, and may also be used as a springboard to the main song or as a method of ending a song.
- Gospel and funk music also rely heavily on chord vamping in order to carve out a rhythmic "groove" to a song. In Gospel, it is normally used as the outro or intro of a song - whereas in funk music it is much more prevalent throughout the whole arrangement. Chord vamping is especially useful in funk, because the harmony is often considered to be less important than the groove of the song.
- Musical theater uses chord vamping as a accompaniment technique. Usually it is deployed during periods of dialogue or as a bridge between two different songs within the production. Chord vamping establishes the next song's key, its tempo and its emotional context.
- Electronic music, especially dance music, uses vamping due to the repetitive and rhythmic nature of the songs. Chord vamping became more prominent within popular music following the invention of synthesizers in the 20th century.
Chord vamping was heavily used in the Baroque period (1600 - 1750) of western music. Since then the technique had fallen out of favor until the development of jazz music in the 20th century.
Uses of chord vamping
- In jazz music, it is used as a harmonic framework upon which to improvise, and may also be used as a springboard to the main song or as a method of ending a song.
- Gospel and funk music also rely heavily on chord vamping in order to carve out a rhythmic "groove" to a song. In Gospel, it is normally used as the outro or intro of a song - whereas in funk music it is much more prevalent throughout the whole arrangement. Chord vamping is especially useful in funk, because the harmony is often considered to be less important than the groove of the song.
- Musical theater uses chord vamping as a accompaniment technique. Usually it is deployed during periods of dialogue or as a bridge between two different songs within the production. Chord vamping establishes the next song's key, its tempo and its emotional context.
- Electronic music, especially dance music, uses vamping due to the repetitive and rhythmic nature of the songs. Chord vamping became more prominent within popular music following the invention of synthesizers in the 20th century.