"Chops" C/D

Dude.

It took me a long time before I heard that chops came from horn players, Jordan. I think I was confused by "axe."

xxpost

I've gotten serious about learning guitar about a year and a half ago and have been working with a great teacher for six months. It has really filled in many gaps in the musical knowledge I have picked up here and there over the years.

But as Iggy Pop said in an interview too "We had chops too man, we just had different chops."

It depends though. I mean shredding doesn't *automatically* preclude musicality. I still like a good shredding solo in the context of a Metallica song.

Ron Asheton has more chops than anyone I've ever met. But sometimes "chops" can mean knowing what *not* to play, rather than overplaying everything. Meaner and leaner can be better.

Chops is often associated with overplaying and overcomplicating *just because you can*. I have no time for musicians like this.

One distinction - for guitar players, keyboard players, etc. "chops" seems to mean "playing fast".

For brass players, it means being able to play loud, high, in control, or in some cases at all (if you've already been playing for a few hours). See also, "busted chops".

In musician circles I have never heard "chops" mean playing overcomplicated or just playing fast. It means playing well, and it often means being versatile. From one musician to another, it's almost always a compliment. e.g. "That guy's got some serious chops. If you think this speed metal stuff is impressive, you should see him play straight blues or classic jazz. He's incredible."

I agree with Kate though... "chops" is the whole package too. It's musicianship in general as well as skill and competence on one's instrument.

When I hear people slagging "chops" as a term I usually think they're the same people slagging "gig," "lick," "riff," etc. They're all just terms of the trade. Some are probably silly when you think about it, but whatever. Personally, I like referring to my "lixx" when they are "hot." On the one hand it's kinda funny, but I've been doing it long enough now that I don't think there's any irony left in it. Now it's kind of like the rock faces I make when I play. If I see it in a picture or video I'll laugh, but when I'm doing it I'm only partly aware of it.