Brandon

Moreover, a fine Singer or Player, when he finds himself accompanied in this Manner, will perhaps complain that he is interrupted, and the Beauties of his Performance thereby obscured and deprived of their Effect. To this I answer that a good Accompanyer ought to possess the Faculty of playing all sorts of Basses in different Manner, so as to be able, on proper occasions, to enliven the Composition, and delight the Singer or Player. But he is to exercise this Faculty with Judgment, Taste, and Discretion, agreeable to the Stile of the Composition, and the Manner and Intention of the Performer. If an Accompanyer thinks nothing else but the satisfying of his own Whim and Caprice, he may perhaps be said to play well, but will certainly be said to accompany ill. -Francesco Geminiani