Hey Justin! Cool video on Jazz lingo. Maybe you'll find this interesting. Where does the term "chops" (meaning ability to play) come from? From your face! Ever heard the expression, "punched him right in the chops?" Well they both come from the same meaning of chops; the side of your face where "mutton chop" sideburns grow. The reason "chops" means "ability to play" stems from the fact that horn players require great muscular control of their "chops" to play loud and high. That's especially true if they practice circular breathing. Therefore, if you can play loud and high for a long time, you have "chops." The term later became synonymous with any type of playing ability, such as the dexterity of pianists and guitarists. If you need a visual example of "chops" just look at any picture of Dizzy Gillespie whilst he plays. Most iconic photos of him literally show his chops! OK... how about some jazz insults? You mentioned being "in the pocket." I heard a great insult at a gig the other day. The awesome player (Geo Conner) was commenting to the drummer about a "sub" ("substitute") drummer. Since the regular drummer had another gig, he sent a sub. Unfortunately, the young sub drummer was too excited and tended to rush. At the next gig, the regular drummer asked "So how did my sub do?" Geo replied, "He carries a purse." Drummer: "Huh?" Geo explained: "He got no pocket." (The actual first quote was: He couldn't find a pocket to save his ass.) After fifty years of playing jazz, I have more, but these two little vignettes seemed most apropos to your vid. Keep up the good work!
How appropriate that you should be the one to take the time to share these basic terms...you remain the preeminent guitar instructor on UA-cam because of your knowledge, empathy, charisma and humility. I hope you have children as these qualities go a long way towards fostering balanced and happy kids, something society is in dire need of...
I'd like to mention that i often see people on jams (especially in the rock fusion kind of stuff) simply tap their heads to tell the band to play the ... well you can guess it.
Pay attention kids! If you go to a Jazz Jam or open mic night for jazz you really need to know this stuff, get a Real Book learn it inside out; They will maul you if you don't get it right, maybe not the first time but defo' the next time. Another one - box it up - stay in the scale or melody. Could be the cat doesn't have it down yet so they're encouraged to keep it real.
In 50's slang blow can mean walk or go, like "He was blowing around Central Park" means "He was walking around Central Park" and "Make like the wind and blow!" means "Go away!" Or it could mean blowing into a saxophone or a horn like Justin says. Or...well I can think of at least two other things that polite people don't discuss :P Versatile word it is.
Hey, great video! Which of the courses should I do straight after Intermediate Method? I found IM rather easy, I just loved it because I lacked (and still lack, in fact) music theory knowledge.
I think this is a really important lesson. Good on you Justin. It may seem daft at first but, you won't last long at a Jam without knowing what the 'Cats' are talking about. Trust me. The first Jam I went to I literally got laughed out of there. Not my finest hour but, I licked my wounds, learned the hard way and practised like mad. I still get scared if I'm honest. Great lesson.
I've heard the terms "woodshed" and "chops" for years bu never connected them. You chop wood in the woodshed. The more you chop, the better you get at it. "Can't get good chops without spending time in the wood shed"...
All of this sounds very idiotic to learn. I think I can play jazz however I want without knowing all that nonsense. I'm sure I can create my own kind of jazz!
Thing is, you're gonna want to play with other people at some time. And this is just the language. You're right, the terms don't matter, but you're gonna learn them one way or the other if you're playing jazz.
Hey Justin! Are you gaining weight or your hats just getting smaller? Seriously, I love your style man and your lessons are always edifying too. Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge with us newbies!
![The Real Book - Jazz Standards - Guitar Lesson - JustinGuitar [JA-004]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Gta5__noZME/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Real Book - Jazz Standards - Guitar Lesson - JustinGuitar [JA-004]](/img/tr.png)
Hey Justin!
Cool video on Jazz lingo.
Maybe you'll find this interesting.
Where does the term "chops" (meaning ability to play) come from?
From your face!
Ever heard the expression, "punched him right in the chops?"
Well they both come from the same meaning of chops; the side of your face where "mutton chop" sideburns grow.
The reason "chops" means "ability to play" stems from the fact that horn players require great muscular control of their "chops" to play loud and high. That's especially true if they practice circular breathing. Therefore, if you can play loud and high for a long time, you have "chops." The term later became synonymous with any type of playing ability, such as the dexterity of pianists and guitarists. If you need a visual example of "chops" just look at any picture of Dizzy Gillespie whilst he plays. Most iconic photos of him literally show his chops!
OK... how about some jazz insults?
You mentioned being "in the pocket."
I heard a great insult at a gig the other day. The awesome player (Geo Conner) was commenting to the drummer about a "sub" ("substitute") drummer. Since the regular drummer had another gig, he sent a sub. Unfortunately, the young sub drummer was too excited and tended to rush.
At the next gig, the regular drummer asked "So how did my sub do?"
Geo replied, "He carries a purse."
Drummer: "Huh?"
Geo explained: "He got no pocket."
(The actual first quote was: He couldn't find a pocket to save his ass.)
After fifty years of playing jazz, I have more, but these two little vignettes seemed most apropos to your vid.
Keep up the good work!
That's funny.
I guess "the head" comes from "De Capo" which when written on sheet music means "from the beginning" but literally means "from the head" in Italian.
This is really helpful, thanks for doing this!
Thanks for these lessons Justin, really enjoying them. Moar jazz plz! :D
How appropriate that you should be the one to take the time to share these basic terms...you remain the preeminent guitar instructor on UA-cam because of your knowledge, empathy, charisma and humility. I hope you have children as these qualities go a long way towards fostering balanced and happy kids, something society is in dire need of...
this series is awesome keep it up!
"The I've Got Rhythm chord changes" -> "The Rhythm Changes"
Crazy!
Excellent!!!!!!!!
I'd like to mention that i often see people on jams (especially in the rock fusion kind of stuff) simply tap their heads to tell the band to play the ... well you can guess it.
Greetings, very helpful. Thanks for sharing. pax
Pay attention kids! If you go to a Jazz Jam or open mic night for jazz you really need to know this stuff, get a Real Book learn it inside out; They will maul you if you don't get it right, maybe not the first time but defo' the next time. Another one - box it up - stay in the scale or melody. Could be the cat doesn't have it down yet so they're encouraged to keep it real.
So that makes Justin "The Cat in the Hat"?
are you sure 'blow' doesn't mean... something else? ;)
In 50's slang blow can mean walk or go, like "He was blowing around Central Park" means "He was walking around Central Park" and "Make like the wind and blow!" means "Go away!" Or it could mean blowing into a saxophone or a horn like Justin says. Or...well I can think of at least two other things that polite people don't discuss :P Versatile word it is.
Andybaby When a jazz musicians blows, it means they’re improvising or just playing their horn (ie saxophone, trumpet)
now all the normies will know smh
sorry but that's entirely superficial approach to jazz
better you're keep on singing lucy in the sky ....
This is the fifth installment in an on-going series. It's not meant to stand on its own without the other installments.
blowing lines means something completely different where i come from XD
♫ Everybody wants to be a cat ♫ Because a cat's the only cat ♫ who knoooooooows where it's at ♫
Oh Justin: Thanks again! :)
Thanks very much for this!
Hey, great video!
Which of the courses should I do straight after Intermediate Method? I found IM rather easy, I just loved it because I lacked (and still lack, in fact) music theory knowledge.
I think this is a really important lesson. Good on you Justin. It may seem daft at first but, you won't last long at a Jam without knowing what the 'Cats' are talking about. Trust me. The first Jam I went to I literally got laughed out of there. Not my finest hour but, I licked my wounds, learned the hard way and practised like mad. I still get scared if I'm honest. Great lesson.
I've heard the terms "woodshed" and "chops" for years bu never connected them.
You chop wood in the woodshed. The more you chop, the better you get at it.
"Can't get good chops without spending time in the wood shed"...
thanks man. great lessons. BTW Clapton blew a killer solo in Crossroads live at the filmore east!!!!! HIs best moment
That's Jazz Justin, might have to listen to this over again thank you for the free tips meow cat!
Thanks for sharing! Talking about more technical terms, you did not mention the "turnaround", didn't you?
No shit, I thought you were Norm McDonald at first. Great video!
It is interesting and fresh to a amateur jazz music lover!!! Thx Justin!
thank you Justin, you are so helpful!!!
But somebody told me to go.play outside and don't come back
04:58 Changes
05:40 'Rhythm' changes
06:46 Sections
08:28 'Blow' through changes
09:13 Blow lines
10:27 'Outside'
12:09 'Woodshedding'
13:07 'Combos'
14:02 'Cats'
14:44 "Train wreck'
15:18 watch out for song 'So What?'
15:52 'Being in the Pocket'
16:54 Listen to the drummer
Going have to watch this one a few times.
I got lost on so what and impressions
useful stuff thanks Justin
All of this sounds very idiotic to learn. I think I can play jazz however I want without knowing all that nonsense. I'm sure I can create my own kind of jazz!
Thing is, you're gonna want to play with other people at some time. And this is just the language. You're right, the terms don't matter, but you're gonna learn them one way or the other if you're playing jazz.
Hey Justin! Are you gaining weight or your hats just getting smaller? Seriously, I love your style man and your lessons are always edifying too. Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge with us newbies!
You talk too much.
Check the title again.