What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sidemen
Example
The jazz band consisted of a pianist, bassist, drummer, and two sidemen on saxophone and trumpet. [sidemen: noun]
Example
The guitarist was accompanied by a group of sidemen who provided the rhythm section. [sidemen: plural noun]
accompaniment
Example
The pianist played a beautiful accompaniment to the singer's ballad. [accompaniment: noun]
Example
The orchestra provided the accompaniment for the ballet performance. [accompaniment: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Accompaniment is more commonly used than sidemen in everyday language and across various musical genres.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sidemen and accompaniment?
Accompaniment is more formal and widely used in music theory and analysis, while sidemen is more informal and colloquial, making it suitable for casual conversations and discussions about popular music.