Terminology dictionary for new comers

Subject: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 10:42 PM

Has anyone ever come across a dictionary of musician terms. Something that included the music lingo, musician slang and abbreviations? As a new kid on the block it can be difficult to understand what others are talking about. Or do I just have to sweat it out? I've seen this in other groups like lawyers, doctors and wind surfers.

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: alison
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 10:48 PM

There are specific music dictionaries. Like the Oxford dictionary of music, and there is a Collins Gem one too. But they are more about instruments, music terms and works. If you are looking for something to help you understand what you are reading here... just ask.. we're friendly (well most of us *grin*)

welcome to mudcat

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: Alice
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 11:29 PM

Little one, you may want to take a browse through this attempt at sorting some of the insider jokes out for those who have just arrived.
click here Mudcat Jargon and 'inside' jokes

and there is this one
click here Help: mudcat how does it work

welcome to the Mudcat!

Alice Flynn

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Oct 99 - 12:32 AM

And, if your just talking about the acronyms we all use, here's a few explanations:

BTW=by the way
IMo=in my opinion
IMHO=in my humble opinion BG=big grin
G=grin
BSEG=big, sh*teatting grin
NOI=no offense intended NYCFTS=Neil Young Center for the Terminally Screwed, a construct of Catspaw's mind, which we all book a room in from time to time

I am sure others will post any that I've forgotten to mention.

Welcome to the Mudcat.

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: WyoWoman
Date: 01 Oct 99 - 12:33 AM

But, Little One, did you mean musicians in general or Mudcat?

WyoWoman

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: MMario
Date: 01 Oct 99 - 04:44 PM

it seems like ANY group tends to develop their own "lingo"...even when it is discouraged.

I remember a restauraunt I worked in, where a management trainee came in one time and managed to p*ss-off most of the kitchen crew. This was a chain resteraunt and he had worked in several, so he SHOULD have known the routine, and actually DID, until we slipped into our "private" language (deliberatly) and lost him in about 30 seconds. We kept it up for several shifts until our manager stopped the fun.

oddly enough - he invited several of the crew to "his" store, a few months later, when he had been assigned - and ASKED us to do the same thing for his crew....as a demonstration....

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: Marion
Date: 01 Oct 99 - 05:01 PM

Can anyone define the terms "riff" and "lick" for me, in terms of the guitar if that makes a difference?

Marion

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: Margo
Date: 02 Oct 99 - 10:19 AM

Marion, I haven't a clue, but if you could get Rick Fielding's attention, I bet he'll give you an answer.

Margarita

Hmmmm... I'll try again. Hope there won't be a double post

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: Bob
Date: 02 Oct 99 - 09:02 PM

What is the difference between (old-time or non-commercial) country music and folk music?

Also, why does some folk music sound sound country

(such as Woody and Arlo Guthrie), and some folk music

does not( such as Pete Seeger and Joan Baez)?

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: Larry B.
Date: 02 Oct 99 - 10:09 PM

A couple more acronyms:

LMAO = Laughing my a** off ROTFL = Rolling on the floor laughing

LB

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Oct 99 - 11:52 PM

Or combined, LMAOWROTF=laughing my arse off while rolling on the floor

Just saw another one yesterday: NFI=no fawking idea

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 12:36 AM

refresh for newbies...thanks LilNeo, I couldn't remember what this one was called and wanted it up for other newcomers

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: _gargoyle
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 07:17 PM

A "lick" and "riff" are esentially the same thing - and they can apply as equally to a guitar as it can to jazz.

They refer to a musical phrase (frequently an original improvisation) that is performed as a solo and is frequently elegant in structure and technical delivery. It can be a "display piece" or a "signiture style" associated with a particular performer such as Jimmie Hendricks.

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From:
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 10:38 PM

Has anyone ever come across a dictionary of musician terms. Something that included the music lingo, musician slang and abbreviations? As a new kid on the block it can be difficult to understand what others are talking about. Or do I just have to sweat it out? I've seen this in other groups like lawyers, doctors and wind surfers.

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: sophocleese
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 11:51 PM

There is a Musician's Dictionary by David W. Barber. It ia concerned more with Classical music than other modern styles but could be helpful. Of course you might have difficulty with it as it defines a flute as "A sophisticated pea-shooter with a range of up to five hundred yards and deadly accuracy in close quarters. Blown transversely to confuse the enemy, it can be dismantled into three small pieces, for easy concealment." This may not be what you are looking for.

Subject: RE: Terminology dictionary for new comers
From: Eric
Date: 23 Oct 99 - 12:01 AM

Hi Marion! IMHO...

In my little world, a "riff" usually refers to a instrumental phrase that repeats throughout a song, often the catchy rythm part. Sometimes it could be the "hook" i.e. (a R&R tune comes to mind) the guitar "riff" at the beginning and throughout Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman. C.C.R. made a career of Riff Rock as does John Fogerty to this day. The main riff usually makes a song instantly identifiable to the listener. Often, it's the first and only part learned, which can be frustrating at jams.

I've always thought of a "lick" as a short series of notes played as a solo would be played. The lick might be inserted between vocal lines (i.e. The Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits), or between verses and so on. It might even repeat as a riff could, but not as commonly. A good guitar solo is a series of licks that flow nicely one into the other, with nice phrasing to give it feel.

Just another opinion... Thanx