Music Business Definitions‏

No explanations needed….

AGENT: a character who resents performers getting 90% of his salary.
ARRANGER: a guy who writes to support a drinking habit.
BALLET: an art form for people with eating disorders.
BANDSTAND: the area furthest away from an electrical outlet.
BIG BAND: nowadays, an aggregation consisting of two musicians.
BROADWAY PIT JOB: a prison sentence disguised as a gig.
CABARET: a venue where singers do songs from shows that closed out of town.
CATERER: a man whose hatred for musicians is unrivaled.
CHANTEUSE: a singer with an accent and no time.
CLASSICAL COMPOSER: a man ahead of his time and behind on his rent.
CLUB DATE LEADER: someone who changes his name from Kaminsky to Kaye.
CONTINENTAL VIOLINIST: a guy who rushes like he’s trying to catch the last train to Budapest.
CONTRACTOR: a man whose funeral nobody goes to.
CRUISE SHIP WORK: a gig that gives a musician two reasons to throw up.
DJ: the guy your son would rather have play his Bar Mitzvah.
DOUBLEBASS: the instrument the folks footing the bill feel is unnecessary.
DOWNBEAT: the magazine that would have you believe that all jazz musicians are working.
ELECTRIC PIANO: the instrument that enables its player to pay for the hernia he sustained lifting it.
HOTEL PIANIST: a guy who looks good in a tux.
JAZZ: the only true American art form beloved by Europeans.
JAZZ FESTIVAL: an event attended by folks who think Coltrane is a car on the B&O railroad.
LYRIC: that part of a tune known only by singers.
MELLOPHONE: an instrument best put to use when converted into a lamp.
METRONOME: the archenemy of chanteuses and cantors.
MOVIE COMPOSER: someone who can write like anyone except himself.
NEW AGE : a musical substitute for Valium.
NEW YEARS EVE: the night of the year when contractors are forced to hire musicians they despise.
ORCHESTRATOR: the musician who enhances a composer’s music, only to be chastised for it.
PERCUSSIONIST: a drummer who can’t swing.
PERFECT PITCH: the ability to pinpoint any note and still play or sing out of tune.
PIANIST: an archaic term for a keyboard player.
PRODIGY: a kid who has as much chance at a normal childhood as the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series.
RAGA: the official music of New York’s Taxi and Limousine Commission.
RARE VIOLIN: a Stradivarius, not to be confused with a rare violinist, which is someone over four foot eleven.
SIDEMAN: the appellation that guarantees a musician will never be rich.
STAFF MUSICIAN : harder to locate than a cavity in the Osmond family.
STEADY ENGAGEMENT: look up in Webster’s Dictionary under the word ”obsolete.”
24\7: the time signature of the national anthem of India. Also, a Don Ellis chart.
UNION REP: a guy who thinks big bands are coming back.
VERSE: the part of a tune that’s disposable, except to its composer.
VIOLA D’AMORE: a baroque string instrument and coincidentally the hooker Bach lost his virginity to.
WURLITZER : the Ford Pinto of pianos.
YANNI: a man blessed with great hair for music.

Bruce was a member of the faculty at the University of Northern Iowa, School of Music in Cedar Falls from 1969 until his retirement in 1999. He has performed with many well-known entertainers such as Bob Hope, Jim Nabors, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Anita Bryant, Carman Cavalara, Victor Borgie, the Four Freshman, Blackstone the Magician, Bobby Vinton and John Davidson.

9 thoughts on “Music Business Definitions‏

  1. Joe Chytla

    That was a good laugh. I’m looking for some general advice on trumpets. Once upon a time in Junior High I played the trumpet. Ok it was like in the 80’s. Anyway I got the idea to attempt to play again but I would need a horn and a ton of practice. What would be a good trumpet and where could I get it? And any other random advice.

  2. Joe Chytla

    Bruce, I have more questions to bother you with. Do you know Crone trumpet sales or trumpets4u.com? I’m looking at purchasing either a reconditioned Bundy or Bach TR300 from them. If you know, What is their reputation?
    Thanks for time and info

    • Bruce Chidester

      I have no knowledge of them but will look into it in the morning for you.

  3. Lee Carr

    This table is a great guide to help the beginner know their way around.

    • Bruce Chidester

      The world of musicians is strange enough. Especially without knowing the vocabulary!

  4. National Anthem of India

    I wish I could listen the national anthem of India with a saxophone. I just love it!

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