vibraman
4 November 2012
I just had a talk with marie and we found that the word "chops" maybe can mean something different to all of us. So maybe to ask this question is a little late but maybe it´s good to see what most of you think...
to me chops means mostly the ability to play fast with sense.
what does chops mean to you?
tarik
Comments
Wynton says..
John Keene Sun, 11/04/2012 - 18:46
To paraphrase Wynton Marsalis, be careful when interchanging the term technique with velocity. The difference is that "chops" (technique) is about nuance, whereas the ability to play fast is velocity.
Chops
Babu Mon, 11/05/2012 - 04:28
I'm following David's definition : to be able to play on your instrument what you are hearing in your head, be fast or slow.
That brings back to our own musicality : a good technique depends exactly of what you hear, no more, no less. If your technique is below what you hear, it's lack of competency, training, practice or experience, if it's above, it's showing off, sport, circus or too much enthusiasm ;-)
And when it comes to velocity, you don't have enough time to think of how to play, then you just can play (if playing well, of course) what you have truly fully assimilated. That's why chops are good clue about how a musician is mastering his instrument AND the kind of music he's pretending to play. Inspiration comes after, if coming...
My 2 cents
BTW very good idea to introduce this topic ! I'm curious to read next opinions...