Bluegrass music has a unique charm that comes not only from its fast tempos, high-energy playing, and “high lonesome” sound but also from its own distinct language. If you’re new to bluegrass, you might have heard players tossing around phrases like “take a break,” “noodling,” or “potatoes” at a jam session or festival. The bluegrass community has developed a rich slang that connects musicians and fans alike, giving them a way to share musical ideas, encourage each other, and stay in sync through the twists and turns of each song.
In this post, I’ll break down some of the most common bluegrass terms to help you feel right at home, whether you’re at your first pickin’ party or joining a jam circle. Grab your instrument, get ready to “take it home,” and let’s dive into the world of bluegrass slang!
Bluegrass slang dictionary
Ain’t No Part of Nothin: A disapproving phrase Bill Monroe would often use
Around the Horn: Refers to giving every participant a chance to take a break (solo)
Bluesy: A song or break with a minor or pentatonic feel, often adding emotional depth. Even though bluegrass is fast, a “bluesy” break can slow things down and add soul
Boom-Chuck: A common rhythm in bluegrass where the bass provides the “boom” (bass note) on the downbeat, and the guitar or mandolin provides the “chuck” (chord strum) on the off-beat
Break: A solo section in a song where one instrument takes the lead. Musicians “take a break” to showcase their skills on their instrument while the rest of the band provides backing
Chop: A rhythmic, percussive strum often played by mandolin players on the off-beat to create a rhythmic “chop” sound. It’s essential to the “drive” of bluegrass rhythm
Double-Stop: Playing two notes at the same time, common in fiddle playing. Double-stops create a fuller sound and are often used in bluegrass solos
Drive: The strong, forward-moving rhythm of bluegrass music. A song with good “drive” keeps the tempo and energy up, giving bluegrass its characteristic pulse
Flatpicking: A style of picking with a flat pick, commonly used in bluegrass guitar playing. Flatpickers are known for their clear, fast picking on acoustic guitar
Grass Time: Informal timekeeping at bluegrass jams. Jams can go on for hours, often spilling into the early morning. “Grass time” is flexible and relaxed
High Lonesome Sound: The signature vocal style of bluegrass, characterized by high, mournful singing, often with tight harmonies
Hot Licks: Fast or impressive series of notes played in a break. A musician with a lot of “hot licks” is often highly skilled at improvisation
Jam: A casual gathering of musicians where they play through songs and take turns leading or taking breaks. Jams are a staple of the bluegrass community
Kickoff: The instrumental intro to a song, usually a short phrase to set the tempo and give a hint of the melody
Mash & Drive: “Mash” usually means heavily accenting certain beats over others whereas “Drive” refers to maintaining consistent pressure throughout all four beats in every measure, creating relentless momentum characteristic of classic bluegrass tunes
Noodling: Playing around on an instrument without following a specific song or pattern, often done while warming up or just messing around
Pickin’ Party: A get-together where musicians play music for fun, often with food and socializing. Pickin’ parties are an essential part of the bluegrass community
Picky Fingers: A term for a skilled banjo player with quick, precise fingers. “Picky fingers” also refers to the technique of picking single strings quickly
Potatoes/Taters: A fiddle kick-off that sets the tempo using a shuffling beat
Risers: Scruggs-Keith banjo tuners
Roll: A pattern of picking strings, typically on the banjo, that gives bluegrass its rhythmic, flowing sound. Rolls are essential for the bluegrass banjo
Run: A sequence of notes that leads into or out of a chord. Runs are often used to transition between chords or add flair to a solo
Sunny Side Up: Something Jimmy Martin would call out during shows when asking sound engineers for more high end on his vocal mic
Take It Home: A cue signaling that they’re wrapping up their solo and the chorus is coming back around
Tater-Bug: A European-style mandolin with a rounded back (like a lute)
Turn-Around: A short musical phrase that occurs at the end of a verse or chorus and leads back to the beginning of the song, a new verse, or the next solo section
Turn it Around: Means to revisit certain parts of songs – often instrumental breaks – thereby creating variety through repetition
Woodshedding: Practicing intensively on an instrument, often alone. When musicians “go to the woodshed,” they’re putting in focused practice time to improve
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