[Dixielandjazz] Re: "um" words and buzzing

[Mike Durham]

Norman, everybody: my wife, who works in the University of Northumbria 
Modern Languages unit, tells me that in U.K. academic parlance, sounds like 
um, ah, er, etc. are called 'filled pauses', as distinct from actual words 
such as well, anyway, actually, basically, I mean, like, and so on, which 
are known as 'discourse markers', in turn not to be confused with 'discourse 
punctuators' which are non-verbal elements such as raised eyebrows, wrinkled 
noses, shrugs, winks, etc., which serve to underline verbal communication. 
Guys, there is a whole world out there, of which  to date I had been 
blissfully unaware. Musical content: "Words Can't Express The Way I Feel" 
(McKinney's Cotton Pickers, 1930).

Mike D.


>From: "Norman Vickers" <nvickers1 at cox.net>
>To: "DJML" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>CC: "Smith, Hal-Drums/AFCDJS" <hsmith1 at adelphia.net>
>Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Re:  "um" words and buzzing
>Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 17:26:57 -0600
>
>Thanks to David Richoux, PJ Ladd, Don Kirk, Steve Barbone, Bill Gunter,
>Genny Theiler, Harold Smith and Mike Durham for clarifying, edifying,  and
>sometimes humorous comments.  It seemed easier just to collect the essence
>of these messages and go for the snippets below. ( If you've read these
>before and remember all them, then there's always the delete button)
>
>Yes, I thought that the word should have been dysfluencies ( rather than
>dis...). New word to me anyway, but since Bill Gunter knows and isn't going
>to tell us, then we all have to use our own imaginations.
>
>Appreciate Harold Smith adding the Milwaukee "um" word "ain'a" ( presumably
>meaning ain't it so?)
>
>Re Slam Stewart and Major Holley.  I believe that Slam Stewart is credited
>with originating singing along with the bass solo.
>AS it was explained to me, and then  later from direct observation, Stewart
>would sing an octave above what he was actually playing, whereas Major
>Holley would sing in unison with the bass solo.  Holley had an almost
>operatic basso profundo voice and his singing along with the bass was very
>impressive!  Somewhere in my files, I have an LP on which Holley and 
>Stewart
>"did their act"
>
>If there are other 'um" words or buzzing comments, I'd appreciate hearing
>them, either on line or off line, your choice.
>
>Thanks again, listmates, for your contributions.
>
>Norman Vickers
>Pensacola
>----------------------
>
>From: david richoux <tubaman at batnet.com>
>
>As I recall there was a string bass player (I am not thinking of Slam
>Stewart - he did a lot of mystery humming ) but maybe Major Holly?
>
>( I just did a quick search and found this interview that mentions the
>sing-playing of BOTH of these bassists:
><http://www.umich.edu/~afroammu/standifer/betts.html>  )
>
>Dave Richoux
>____________________________
>, PJ Ladd wrote:
>
> >lots of disfluencies in it," said Liz Shriberg>
>
> >Lots of WHAT? `DISFLUENCIES`
> >This is from someone studying language?
>
> >I will lie down for a while, I think.
>________________________________
>Makes one dyspeptic, don't it?
>
>The lady probably meant "dysfluencies", since "dis-" means 'opposite' or
>'apart from' while "dys-" means 'abnormal' or 'bad'.  I won't dis her,
>though, cuz it might have been a typo.
>
>"It Ain't Necessarily So."
>--
>Don
>donkirk at covad.net
>
>------------------------------
>
>
>From: Stephen Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
>To: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>  barbonestreet at earthlink.net
>
>
>Sax man Johnny Griffin also made an "Eh" sound like Lionel Hampton did.
>Griffin would sound it every time he drew a breath between solo
>passages. It was fun to watch and the "Eh" was like a part of his solo
>ideas.
>
>I used to gig with two Dixieland musicians who have noisy habits also.
>One, a banjo player, hums loudly to himself while playing. Since he also
>wears a microphone, this is very distracting to the rest of the band. He
>produces a constant drone like a thousand bees, throughout the entire
>song.
>
>The other is a reed man who is quiet when he plays, but when he is not
>playing, whistles audibly during other solos. It is  very distracting,
>especially if he is right next to the soloist..
>
>Fellow musos have repeatedly talked with them about it with little
>effect. Both still do it, so I am told.
>
>No names, don't work with either anymore.
>
>Cheers,
>Steve Barbone
>____________________________________-
>  "Bill Gunter" <jazzboard at hotmail.com>
>Hello all,
>
>I know precisely what "disfluencies" means, but I'm not going to tell any 
>of
>you!
>
>Bill "often disfluent" Gunter
>jazzboard at hotmail.com
>___________________________________
>
>From: Stephen Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
>  barbonestreet at earthlink.net
>
>
>Yes, how could we forget Stewart who took bow solos, would hum along with
>the
>solo to get a unique sound by design as part of his creation. Sometimes in
>unison, sometimes in harmony with what he was bowing. Also, bassist Major
>Holly had a similar musical approach.
>
>Cheers,
>Steve
>____________________________________
>Benny Theiler wrote:
>
> > I seem to remember Bassist "Slam" Stewart also making vocal sounds on 
>his
> > solo's when he played with Benny Goodman.
>_____________________________
>  s3856lpa at webtv.net (Harold Smith)
>Here are a few more "ums" to add to he collection:
>
>"Dontchaknow"
>"HearwhatI'msayin'"
>"KnowwhatImean?"
>"like"
>"ain'a" (a word peculiar to Milwaukee, particularly the South Side.
>Translation:
>  is "Dontchaknow?")
>
>Regards, Harold Smith
>________________________________________
>
>"Mike Durham" <mikedurham_jazz at hotmail.com>
>
>Well, better disfluent than effluent, I guess....
>
>Mike D.
>___________________________
>"Bill Gunter" <jazzboard at hotmail.com>
> >I know precisely what "disfluencies" means, but I'm not going to tell any
> >of you!
> >
> >Bill "often disfluent" Gunter
> >jazzboard at hotmail.com
>___________________________________END OF "UM"WORDS AND BUZZING
>COMMENTS______________________
> >
>
>
>
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