LiveMusicHome.com - Get gigs, find bands, find managers, find fans and keep them entertained!
Live Music Lingo
Live Music Home
Band and Club Marketing
Glossary of Live Music Lingo
Music Lessons
Music Forums
Contact Me

An ongoing collection of unofficial tongue in cheek definitions for commonly used lingo. If you've got a great sense of humor and/or just want to share the meaning of something you've heard regularly in the live music arena. Submit your suggestions for this glossary here. Here's a few to start.....

axe -

  1. a reference to an instrument, traditionally a guitar, but is now often used to describe any instrument.
  2. a line of male hygiene products that are popular amongst gullible musicians for the marketed promise of loose women falling at their feet.

beer tent - A large semi-exposed, or vinyl enclosed venue usually located in a fairground, or on a private estate where, depending on the condition of the estate,

  1. indicates great wealth with elaborate parties and benefit concerts for well known, lofty worldwide causes (For example, U.N.I.C.E.F., or Children's Miracle Network) or,
  2. indicates extreme poverty with simple parties and benefit shows for lesser known, local causes (For example: the property owner's tax bill, or someone's insufficiently insured medical bill).

Typically filled with easy to please, but sometimes overzealous, drunken fans (see below). High security recommended for your equipment.

break -

  1. A short, usually improvised solo which "breaks" a song into parts, or introduces an extended solo.
  2. The time at which the musicians "take a break" and disappear for a period usually ranging from 15 to 45 minutes after announcing they will be "right back in a few moments".

broke -

  1. Damage caused to equipment, that drumstick is broke. Sometimes intentionally caused for theatrical effect, he smashed his guitar into the front of his amp for the shower of sparks, flames and ear deafening sound, which rendered them broke
  2. To break something, she broke her drumstick on that bad ass drum solo
  3. Describes a starting musician when they realize the equipment is more expensive than the current income level they have achieved, such as  smashing equipment for theatrical effect is better left to well funded rock stars and not some broke jack ass

fan -  An enthusiastic devotee of a particular music genre or performer; an enthusiast. Short for fanatic

hobbyist - A person who plays music in their spare time for pleasure

professional -

adj. Conforming to the standards of a profession: professional behavior.

  1. Having or showing great skill; expert: a professional performance.
  2. Engaging in an activity as a a career: a professional musician.
  3. Performed by persons receiving substantial pay comparable to, or exceeding a professional day job: professional show. 

n.

  1. A skilled practitioner; an expert.
  2. A person following a profession, especially a learned profession.
  3. One who earns a living in the music industry: hired a professional to entertain the crowd.  

 Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Sampling Plus 1.0 License.

Copyright 2006-2009 Digisound Music, LLC. All rights reserved.
All content on this site not belonging to Digisound Music, LLC is the property of it's respective affiliate and permission is required for use.