Klarinet Archive - Posting 001507.txt from 1999/01

From: James.P.Reed@-----.net (James P Reed)
Subj: Re: [kl] Questions (nomenclature)
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 07:24:21 -0500

Ravel wrote:

> I've only heard "ax" describing guitars, but then that was in the
> context of old time rock and roll and folk music. Never found out
> the derivation of that one either.

As far as I can recall, the term ax or axe comes to jazz thru the blues
and refers to the rhythms sung when chopping wood or harvesting cotton
or pounding railroad spikes, etc. Therefore, it refers to the tool
being used for the basic rhythm of the labor being performed.

I'd be curious to hear what others have to say about the origins of the
word ax or axe.

Jim

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org