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A type of accompaniment where the notes of a chord are played in a repeating pattern of lowest, highest, middle, highest. It's named after Domenico Alberti and is common in Classical-era piano music.

A piano style where the left hand alternates between bass notes (or chords) and chords at a higher register. This creates a 'striding' effect across the keyboard. An example is Fats Waller's stride piano performances.

A pattern typically used in waltz time (3/4) with a low bass note on the first beat followed by chords on the second and third beats. For instance, the left-hand pattern in Brahms's 'Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 39, No. 15'.

A form of ostinato that occurs in the bass line, often recognizable as a repeated rhythmic or melodic set. An example is the Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582 by J.S. Bach.

A bass-note (boom) followed by a higher chord (chick) played in succession, often found in ragtime and country music. A piano example is Scott Joplin's 'The Entertainer'.

Playing the notes of a chord separately instead of simultaneously. This pattern adds a softer and more textured background. An example is Pachelbel's Canon in D for the piano.

Motifs that are repeated at different pitches, creating a sequence. This can be used in piano accompaniments to add progression. Example: Beethoven's 'Piano Sonata No. 5 in C minor', second movement.

A rhythm where normally unaccented beats are stressed, giving an off-beat feel. This can be used in piano to create a feeling of movement or tension. An example is Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue'.

A moving bass line that walks through a sequence of notes, typically used in jazz and blues. An example would be the left-hand accompaniment in bass lines of jazz standards.

Characterized by syncopated rhythm and a stride-like left-hand pattern, this is iconic in ragtime music. A famous example is Scott Joplin's 'Maple Leaf Rag'.

Features the use of chromatic scales in the accompaniment, ascending or descending. This technique creates tension and movement. Example: Chopin's 'Prelude in D minor, Op 28, No. 24'.

A continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm. In piano, it can be a repeated accompaniment pattern. An example is the left hand in the 2nd movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

Chords where the notes are played simultaneously as a harmonic unit. A common accompaniment style that provides a solid foundation for the melody. Examples can be found in many pop and rock ballads.

Characterized by short, detached notes in the accompaniment pattern that provide rhythmical vitality. An example is the left-hand accompaniment in Haydn's 'Piano Sonata in C major, Hob. XVI:50'.

A sustained note over which harmonies change, often used in the bass. In piano, this can add dramatic tension. An example is found in the introduction to Beethoven's 'Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor'.

Rapid repetition of the same note or the alternation between two notes to create a continuous sound. It’s often used for dramatic effect in piano music, like in the opening of Liszt's 'Mephisto Waltz'.

Playing the notes of a chord consecutively, rather than simultaneously. This can create a harp-like effect on the piano. An example is the opening of Debussy's 'Clair de Lune.'