 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2003-06-17 12:46
Being the relative musical novice that I am, and reading this board for only a few months, I had come to believe (notice I avoided the word "assumed") that "chops" meant the fitness and strength of the embouchure and associated body components in that region of the body for playing the clarinet, as in "my chops sure got worn out after that 18-hour concert!"
However, in skimming through the book "Classical Music for Dummies" (um hmmm) they said "chops" is used in reference to the overall technique of a musician. Ok...which is it?
Jerry
The Villages, FL
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-06-17 12:50
Yes on 1 AND Yes on 2...
Choppers (aka dentures, chompers, pearly whites)
Chopping up a chart (leaving out the good notes, playing the sour ones...)
*** as in the unscheduled solos I play on stage ****
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-17 12:58
All of the above like a professional boxer fine tuned for the big event....it's not just his left hook
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Author: William
Date: 2003-06-17 14:43
When I refer to "vacation" chops, I mean two things: 1) the most obvious effect being that of a tired embouchure after only playing an average amount of time, and 2) that noticable "edge" or sharpness of technique in executing even the simplest of musical notations. Your fingers become "mushy" between notes and musical expression lacks that usual "punch."
Some noted "professional" once said, "If I miss practice one day, I notice it. If I miss practice two days, my audience notices it."
Chops is the total instrument you bring to your gig--the combination of you and it (whatever "it" is).
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2003-06-17 21:28
Jerry, allow me to add my own personal opinion.
To me, chops refers to the muscles involved in holding the cheeks from puffing out. Those who have large "chops" have rather large muscles around the lower jaw area.
Mine are fairly large even though I play with a soft reed. I believe that I have a great propensity for muscle development in this area.
Have you ever wondered why some men who play the clarinet professionally have facial hair such as a goatee or a full beard? If they were to remove them for 3 seconds, I think you would have a pretty good idea of what I'm talking about.
Yes, I've worn a goatee in the past. It became quite a chore for me to keep it trimmed just right. But, now that it's gone...I wished I had left it on.
All of the above is just my $0.02 cents worth.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-06-18 22:35
chops? - I prefer mine quickly seared on a very hot saucepan then served with an hot English mustard and a crisp garden salad.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-06-18 23:38
The term "chops" is applied in a truly wholistic manner. That guy has great "chops" is an expression of polished technique including fingers, embouchure, volume etc.. One criticism that is also raised is that although that guy has great "chops" he doesn' play musically. Also difficult to define is the term "swing". It is best to remember that "It don't mean a thing" if it hasn't got any!
I have seen Diz eat. Truly awesome.
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Author: Contrabasssax
Date: 2003-06-18 23:39
In my family chops is refered to as idiot. My dad had a lamb named chops and it was really dumb so thats how that came around. lol. sorry i know its off the topic but i had to post it.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-19 10:59
After further consideration I now believe that the term "chops" was first used by old time musicians who associated really good playing with the delicious taste of fried pork chops that made you drool.
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Author: Avie
Date: 2003-06-19 13:15
I thought the slang word "chops" when used on the clarinet BB means the position and strength of the lips and tongue on the mouthpiece! Hence, "strong or weak chops".
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-06-19 16:25
I've heard it used both ways, but more frequently to mean someone's overall technique. Good percussionists, pianists, and string players are referred to as having "chops" as well as wind players.
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2003-06-19 18:04
So, Bob... its starting to come together for me now. Having "good chops" is one of the reasons why some of us suffer from excessive drool in the horn!
Jerry
The Villages, FL
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Author: Tim K
Date: 2003-06-19 19:50
Obviously "Chops" is one of those useful words that can mean whatever the speaker wants them to mean. Long live linguistic anarchy!
Post Edited (2003-06-19 21:49)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-19 20:38
The drool can help with some phrases. We must consider that many "Jazz/Blues" expressions had their origins below the Mason/Dixon line. Consider the word "Cat", for example. The true meaning of some expressions probably can't be printed here.
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