What exactly is chops? Is it the ability to play fast, or to be able to groove? And in the grand scheme of things, does it matter?

(This is also my 100th post. Took me long enough.)

Chops is what you have when you can physically play anything. It's just another name for very good technique, where this is going to be moved by the way.

chops=your licks, fills, lines that you create, at least thats what ive always thought thats what they were, and yes it does matter

axe = your bass

chops = your muscles, mostly referring to muscle memory, and stamina.

theory = how fluent your mind is with the language in relation to your hands, eyes and ears and those people you are playing with, and to. if you're playing happy birthday, your theory doesn't need much depth.

technique = the way you combine and apply the above.

groove, funk, way, tao = your personality and ability to express it via the above listed components

your ability = axe + chops + theory + technique + groove/et al

thus...


say it with me...



"practice, practice, practice."