What do you call the musical equivalent of Doodling
What do you call the musical equivalent of Doodling
Hi
When you sit down with a piece of paper, and just start making lines shapes etc.. whatever comes to mind and feels natural. Someone is bound to come and say "What are you drawing"
The same thing happens when playing the whistle (or playing a song on anything, even humming)
But when drawing, you can just quickly answer "Nothing I'm doodling" or something similar. And they'll understand it right away, and likely let you continue without a problem.
But whats the equivalent for music?
I couldn't think of an equivalent word to 'doodling' so I end up have to explain how its not a real song, I'm just playing what comes to mind, or if it is a real song its by accident and I don't know what its called etc..
Meanwhile, your no longer playing, and by the time your done, you've likely lost the thread to the makeshift tune you were playing.
Does anyone know of an equivalent musical word to doodling, does such a thing exist?
I hope there is, because several times my Dad has grabbed his dulcimer and wants to know the name of the tune I'm playing, and quite often I can't repeat the the tune, much less come up with a name for it.
When you sit down with a piece of paper, and just start making lines shapes etc.. whatever comes to mind and feels natural. Someone is bound to come and say "What are you drawing"
The same thing happens when playing the whistle (or playing a song on anything, even humming)
But when drawing, you can just quickly answer "Nothing I'm doodling" or something similar. And they'll understand it right away, and likely let you continue without a problem.
But whats the equivalent for music?
I couldn't think of an equivalent word to 'doodling' so I end up have to explain how its not a real song, I'm just playing what comes to mind, or if it is a real song its by accident and I don't know what its called etc..
Meanwhile, your no longer playing, and by the time your done, you've likely lost the thread to the makeshift tune you were playing.
Does anyone know of an equivalent musical word to doodling, does such a thing exist?
I hope there is, because several times my Dad has grabbed his dulcimer and wants to know the name of the tune I'm playing, and quite often I can't repeat the the tune, much less come up with a name for it.
Learning to...
Play the Irish whistle, Harmonica, Recorder, Fife, Panpipes, Clarinet, Hand ocarina, and Piano Accordion, all within the last year
(Music is more fun then ever before)
Play the Irish whistle, Harmonica, Recorder, Fife, Panpipes, Clarinet, Hand ocarina, and Piano Accordion, all within the last year
(Music is more fun then ever before)
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toodling
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(The people’s spirit is raised through culture)
Suburban Symphony
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noodling
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=noodling
"to improvise a musical passage in a casual manner"
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=noodling
"to improvise a musical passage in a casual manner"
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I'd call that noodling.
When I improvise, I can usually remember what I was just playing, and can even capture the good snippets and use them in a composition. There's a bit of intent. I can apply the same kind of mindfulness and improvise in a group with other musicians where the musical progress isn't scripted in any way, but there's an awareness of the direction it's taking.
When I noodle, I just absentmindedly play around purely for the pleasure of making music. I can't really remember what the past few notes were and don't really care. Noodling can be totally absorbing, like staring off into space, and also like staring off into space, totally ephemeral.
When I improvise, I can usually remember what I was just playing, and can even capture the good snippets and use them in a composition. There's a bit of intent. I can apply the same kind of mindfulness and improvise in a group with other musicians where the musical progress isn't scripted in any way, but there's an awareness of the direction it's taking.
When I noodle, I just absentmindedly play around purely for the pleasure of making music. I can't really remember what the past few notes were and don't really care. Noodling can be totally absorbing, like staring off into space, and also like staring off into space, totally ephemeral.
Wow...so many choices..
Noodling, toodling, Nerdling, freestyling, doodling, or improvising/improvisation.
I'll have to choose one of those based on who's asking I suppose.
Although I'm personally leaning towards Toodling.
Thanks for your speedy replies!
One day I'll get to a point where I can start answering questions, instead of always just asking them on here. But, until then you don't learn unless you ask.
-Lem
Noodling, toodling, Nerdling, freestyling, doodling, or improvising/improvisation.
I'll have to choose one of those based on who's asking I suppose.
Although I'm personally leaning towards Toodling.
Thanks for your speedy replies!
One day I'll get to a point where I can start answering questions, instead of always just asking them on here. But, until then you don't learn unless you ask.
-Lem
Learning to...
Play the Irish whistle, Harmonica, Recorder, Fife, Panpipes, Clarinet, Hand ocarina, and Piano Accordion, all within the last year
(Music is more fun then ever before)
Play the Irish whistle, Harmonica, Recorder, Fife, Panpipes, Clarinet, Hand ocarina, and Piano Accordion, all within the last year
(Music is more fun then ever before)
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I've always heard it called "noodling", especially by guitarists and mandolin players.
And whether the blood be highland, lowland or no.
And whether the skin be black or white as the snow.
Of kith and of kin we are one, be it right, be it wrong.
As long as our hearts beat true to the lilt of a song.
And whether the skin be black or white as the snow.
Of kith and of kin we are one, be it right, be it wrong.
As long as our hearts beat true to the lilt of a song.
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By whatever name, it's a relaxing and intimate way to "play." And, like the drawing type doodling, sometimes you surprise yourself and "come up" with something that's pleasantly GOOD! It seems to be one of the best ways to court your Muse....
I recently learned of the jazz term "woodshedding," from Denny. This seems to have some similarity to noodling? Kind of discovering your own riffs...without a whole lot of preconception. Just letting it come out, and making some sense of it as you do. Enjoyable!
I recently learned of the jazz term "woodshedding," from Denny. This seems to have some similarity to noodling? Kind of discovering your own riffs...without a whole lot of preconception. Just letting it come out, and making some sense of it as you do. Enjoyable!
You-Me-Them-Us-IT. Anything Else?