Accompaniment is the collective term for the parts that play in support of the melody or the vocal. Chords, bass, drums, arpeggios, and pads combine to create the foundation and the mood of a song.
The basic idea
Accompaniment does not repeat what the main melody does; it takes on separate roles such as rhythm, harmony, and the low end. Deciding what you are supporting makes it easier to keep the note count under control.
Its role in writing and performing
It presents the chord progression and the groove and strengthens the impression of the melody. Keeping it restrained in the verse and thickening it in the chorus is how changes in the accompaniment create dynamics.
How to check it in a DAW
At first you can build the skeleton of an accompaniment with just piano chords, root notes on the bass, and drums marking the beat. Play the main melody along with it and check that the parts are not clashing.
How it differs from related terms
Accompaniment is the broad role of supporting the main melody. Backing is used more specifically for the part or the playing style that performs the accompaniment.
Before you make the accompaniment lavish, check that the arrangement lets the main melody be heard most clearly.
