Please define 'axe' and 'BAT'

[bort]

I've never *actually* heard anyone use "axe" in verbal conversation. Mostly just here. Maybe those left coast "hep" folks do though...

Same for BAT. And in fact, I'm not even sure how I'd pronounce it. "Bat" (like the animal)? Say the letters B, A, T? Or actually say Bigass tuba? Kind of the same for 5/4 or 6/4 tubas. For whatever reason, I always read that as "five four" and "six four," but think other people would probably say "five quarter" or "six quarter."

I think this all means that this is stuff we write about, but it's often not important enough to be what we talk about in conversation...? Really how often in a week am I describing the size of my tuba?

[Wyvern]

When people ask about my Neptune I just say "it's an orchestral C tuba", or "it's a grand orchestral tuba" - would never mention BAT (would pronounce as animal), or even six-four except to other tuba fanatics.

[bort]

Oh, I certainly wouldn't use any of that jargon with non-tuba players. Actually, even amongst tuba players I'd rather just refer to it by key, brand, or model number.

[P@rick]

An "axe" is a horn that cuts it for you

[GC]

"Dewd, thatz one BAT axe horn!"

[sailn2ba]

Don't know about the '30s, but "axe" for horn or guitar was in general use in the late '40s. . . and a "pay" gig would have been a "bread" gig.

[TubaRay]

As to other "jargon" that I would avoid using around "non-tuba" people, I would avoid using the word ___-ist in conversation if at all possible, but if I HAD to say that word, I would use the (less accepted by "scholarly" tuba players) "tuba-ist" vs. (seemingly adopted by "scholarly" tuba players) "tub-ist", so that people would know what the heck I was talking about (ie. a "tuba" and not a "tube").

I would have to say that neither I, nor any of my friends are "tubists" or "tubaists." I believe we are simply "tuba players." I could be wrong on this one.

[Carroll]

Sorry... tried to resist... but must jump in. The way I have come to understand it: your "chops" are what you can do on your "axe" and you build those "chops" in the "woodshed". In other, less-hep words: your skills in playing your chosen instrument are develped through diligence in your own practice space. "Woodchopper's Ball" (especially the open solo section) was simply a vehicle to showcase those chops.

[Tundratubast]

After all this discussion, I've realized I'll need to have Schleppy change my login, and have him add an "a" to my handle. I will go forth from here and modify all my identities as " Tundratubaist; It is done!