Oct 1, 2019 11:39
4 yrs ago
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English term
Picking up chops at the crossroad
English to French
Art/Literary
Music
music slang
In an article about the evolution of a certain style of music, the writer is talking about how "picking up chops at the crossroad" isn't romantic anymore.
I'm having trouble translating that concept as it also refers to classic American blues folklore. Would anyone have any ideas?
I'm having trouble translating that concept as it also refers to classic American blues folklore. Would anyone have any ideas?
Proposed translations
(French)
4 | vendre son âme au diable pour quelques phrasés bien sentis |
suzanneb111
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References
chops |
FX Fraipont (X)
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At the crossroad |
Eliza Hall
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Change log
Oct 1, 2019 14:50: Emma Jean changed "Restriction (Pairs)" from "none" to "working" , "Restriction (Native Lang)" from "none" to "fra" , "Restriction Fields" from "none" to "interest"
Proposed translations
6 hrs
Selected
vendre son âme au diable pour quelques phrasés bien sentis
voilà ce que ça m'inspire :)
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Reference comments
39 mins
Reference:
chops
Chops
By Sweetwater on Jul 19, 2005, 12:00 AM
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The word “chops” is used to describe a musician’s level of technique in terms of the ability to execute music physically on a particular musical instrument (and to negotiate chord changes). An example would be the lightning-fast technique of a guitar player. E.g., “Yngwie Malmsteen has great chops.” “Chops” is a slang term that has its roots in the jazz idiom, initially relating to horn players’ ability to hit high notes. (“Miles has got the chops…”) “Chops” in this case harkens back to its original 16th-century slang meaning of “mouth” or “lips.” The term chops is not used to describe the capacity to have good musical ideas, to phrase effectively, or to build a solo.
https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/chops/
By Sweetwater on Jul 19, 2005, 12:00 AM
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The word “chops” is used to describe a musician’s level of technique in terms of the ability to execute music physically on a particular musical instrument (and to negotiate chord changes). An example would be the lightning-fast technique of a guitar player. E.g., “Yngwie Malmsteen has great chops.” “Chops” is a slang term that has its roots in the jazz idiom, initially relating to horn players’ ability to hit high notes. (“Miles has got the chops…”) “Chops” in this case harkens back to its original 16th-century slang meaning of “mouth” or “lips.” The term chops is not used to describe the capacity to have good musical ideas, to phrase effectively, or to build a solo.
https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/chops/
1 hr
Reference:
At the crossroad
This is about trading your soul to the Devil in exchange for musical skill. It's a common trope but is particularly associated with blues musician Robert Johnson.
"Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) was an American blues singer, songwriter and musician. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Johnson's poorly documented life and death have given rise to much legend. The one most closely associated with his life is that he sold his soul to the devil at a local crossroads to achieve musical success."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Johnson
"Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) was an American blues singer, songwriter and musician. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Johnson's poorly documented life and death have given rise to much legend. The one most closely associated with his life is that he sold his soul to the devil at a local crossroads to achieve musical success."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Johnson
Reference:
Discussion
The Devil's Crossroads – Owning a Piece of the Robert Johnson ...
https://www.americanbluesscene.com › devils-crossroads-owning-piece-robe...