Noodling in a jazz tune

VAMPING

Think of the repetitive chord progression a pianist might play to keep the rhythm steady while waiting for the soloist to take center stage. It’s a term borrowed from theater but now firmly rooted in jazz improvisation.

"Noodling" in music means improvising casually, often repeating simple patterns. In jazz, "vamping" fits this perfectly—it’s when musicians play short, repetitive chords or riffs to keep the groove going while waiting for the next section. The clue plays on the idea of "noodling around" musically, which directly points to vamping as the term for that kind of rhythmic filler. It’s a common jazz practice, so the answer clicks for anyone familiar with the style.