Emanuele
"honing their chops"? I started reading a blog's article when I met this expression in this sentence: "I found it strange that British and Irish musicians, particularly those honing their chops in the 1960s, seemed more taken with the form than Americans." What does "honing their chops" exactly mean? thanks
Aug 12, 2014 10:11 AM
Answers · 5
A musician's "chops" is his or her musical technique. I usually hear this in reference to guitarists, but some references say it's from playing woodwind. I can't say for sure. Sometimes it's used for artistic skill (eg. acting) in general. "To hone" is to sharpen something to perfection. The blog compares the technical care given by musicians in the UK and Ireland with those same musicians' enjoyment of a relaxed and simple blues style.
August 12, 2014
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