What do you/should you do for vamping?

[Bob]

I've been asked to vamp on a ensemble piece.    I'm not sure I've ever done that before, but it can be that difficult.

Am I supposed to add something more (improvise) to what's there? 

Or do I just play what's written and pay attention to when the vamp section is over?  Vamp in that case being 'just play something in the background and pay attention to when the regular music sections start again.'

(Bob considers getting out some wax teething for "vamping."  I bet they'd love that.  )

[go12_3]

You know, Bob, you come up with the most interesting topics here in this forum!  lol
Say, sorry, that I cannot help you with *vamping*, 
I have no idea what it entails with a group of  musicians.  Will you be playing the piano?  What instruments comprises this ensemble?

 *vamp* means, "an imrovised musicial accompaniment" from my dictionary (that I keep handy for spellings and such!).  So, there you GO,  now you can figure our what you need to do.  Good luck with your *vamp*   

best wishes,

go12_3

[Bob]

Yeah, I'm thinking it means 'just fill up time with something that sounds good.'


But I did find these definitions.  Kind of changes the nature of the performance.  I guess I'm not qualified for the first one.
vamp -- coquette: a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men
vamp -- act seductively with (someone)




The music has 4 of 8 bars.  Endless repeating as necessary.  Chords indicated.  Rhythm in the bass note.  RH is just a chord.  That by itself might be ok.  It's supposed to have someone speak over that, so the piano shouldn't be in the way.

And I have no idea who else is in the ensemble. 

[Bob]

Hey, hey.

Vamp is a 1986 vampire film starring Grace Jones. It is similar in premise to a film made 10 years later, From Dusk Till Dawn in that a group of ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vamp_(film)

A femme fatale (plural: femmes fatales) is an alluring and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetypal character of literature and art. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vamp_(woman)

Vamp is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vamp_(comics)

Vamp is a band from Haugesund, Norway which was started in 1991 (according to ) The band’s musical profile is a mix of Norwegian folk music, Celtic music and rock. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vamp_(band)

The VaMP driverless car was one of the first truly autonomous cars along with its twin vehicle, the VITA-2. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VaMP




And finally...
In jazz, gospel, soul, and musical theater, a vamp is a repeating musical figure or accompaniment. A vamp typically outlines a single harmony, or in some cases a familiar sequence of chords, such as ii-V(7) or IV-V(7) (in the key of C, this would be d minor to G(7) or F to G(7)). ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vamp_(music)

[Bob]

https://www.answers.com/topic/vamp


I don't think it's very specific term but I know what they mean in this case.  Fill some time, sound good (either what's written or by improvising), and don't get in the way.

[richard black]

Yeah, I'm thinking it means 'just fill up time with something that sounds good.'

Pretty much. Very often it's even simpler, just repeat a bar, or a few bars of the introduction/instrumental break, until the soloist(s) is/are ready to recommence. Hence the instruction 'vamp till ready' which you will find on some scores of musicals, for instance.

[go12_3]

Yeah, I'm thinking it means 'just fill up time with something that sounds good.'


But I did find these definitions.  Kind of changes the nature of the performance.  I guess I'm not qualified for the first one.
vamp -- coquette: a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men
vamp -- act seductively with (someone)

Well, well,  Bob, to say the least, you have certainly expounded upon the word *vamp*  LOL
Good work!   

[timothy42b]

IMO of course, the term is fairly specific.

They don't want obligato, or they'd say so; they don't want cadenza, or they'd say so.  They don't want dead air, or there'd be rests.

So you fill the time unobtrusively, with the suggested chord progressions or your own, providing background without showing off, and ending up in the correct key and leading back into the ensemble. 

[auntie lynn]

And a one, and a two, and a three and a four 5-6-7-8 "One Singular Sensation..."  Vamp til ready...

[keyofc]

This is a word that you see thrown in - but never explained.
Glad you asked!