Loufrance Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 A question I could not find the answer to.... What does vamping mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fortner Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 To play a rhythmic pattern appropriate to the genre over a single chord for a number of measures, or at most, over a fairly simple chord progression. "OK, people. For the sax solo in Bill Withers' 'Use Me,' let;s have the keys and guitar vamp on a I - IV." Alternatively, it refers to intimate behavior inspired by Anne Rice's novels, but this forum is PG-13 at its raciest, so I'll stop there. Stephen Fortner Principal, Fortner Media Former Editor in Chief, Keyboard Magazine Digital Piano Consultant, Piano Buyer Magazine Industry affiliations: Antares, Arturia, Giles Communications, MS Media, Polyverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridog6996 Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 Vamping is when you repeat a single chord or a simple progression of chords for an indefinite (or sometimes definite) amount of time, usually, but not always, with a repeated rhythmic figure. The best example I can think of off the top of my head (because I just played this tune tonight on a gig) is Vince Guaraldi's "Skating" from Charlie Brown Christmas. The solo section for this tune is a vamp over the chords C, F, G, and F. The intro for this tune (same chords actually) is also a vamp. Maybe someone else can provide a better example. I'm tired. Hope that helps though My YouTube Channel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridog6996 Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 Oops, Mr. Fortner beat me to the punch while I was typing. You sly dog. My YouTube Channel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ELP71 Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 Repeat a short passage until otherwise instructed. Isn't the root of 'vamping' in vaudeville/burlesque? You 'vamp' while the hoochie mama strips? Or, you vamp while she 'vamps'? Sounds right. Weasels ripped my flesh. Rzzzzzzz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clavinovaguyusa Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 The song is vamped (few measures repeated) while the singer is getting ready on stage to sing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shniggens Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 It's what a lot of guitarists consider a composition. Amateur Hack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billdar Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 Some examples where vamping is predominent: Cantelope Island (Herbie Hancock), Take Five (Dave Brubeck). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdman Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 Originally posted by Loufrance: A question I could not find the answer to.... What does vamping mean? You will often see a few bars in books for musicals marked "vamp till ready". Usually before an ensemble scene because its always a high energy riff. The alternative is to write out some music that is repeated an indefinite number of times to accomodate a scene change but this is not a vamp - its an interlude. Typically an interlude will recapitulate melodic material already heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loufrance Posted December 4, 2005 Author Share Posted December 4, 2005 Originally posted by Stephen Fortner: To play a rhythmic pattern appropriate to the genre over a single chord for a number of measures, or at most, over a fairly simple chord progression. "OK, people. For the sax solo in Bill Withers' 'Use Me,' let;s have the keys and guitar vamp on a I - IV." Alternatively, it refers to intimate behavior inspired by Anne Rice's novels, but this forum is PG-13 at its raciest, so I'll stop there. (Loufrance)"Smiles like Benny Hill" Thanks for the reply Stephen(and everyone else) I think I could understand the concept a little better if I could hear some audio examples, could someone direct me to some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 vamp = ||: / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / :|| repeat many times... Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moj Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 Afro-Cuban/salsa music uses a repeated melodic chord progression pattern, usually played on a piano, called a montuno. I guess this would be considered *vamping*. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richiejazz Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 Also, if you think musical theatre scores: in the middle of musical numbers there are often interjections of dialogue between sung sections. The band will usually have 'Vamp' marked over a repeated few bars - meaning repeat over until the dialogue is finished or a desired voacl cue is reached www.hairmusic.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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