cut heads

v. to compare musical skill in an informal competition; to hold a jam session. Subjects: English, Music

Editorial Note: This is directly related to to cut ‘to hold an (informal) musical competition,’ which dates to at least the 1930’s and possibly to the 1920’s. The competition is sometimes called a cutting contest.

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Citations: 1977 Melvin Moore @ The World of Count Basie (1980) Stanley Dance p. 340: [T-Bone Walker] came down to Second Street, where Charlie Christian and everybody hung out. He and Charlie used to cut heads. The guy that taught Charlie everything on guitar was Chuck Richardson. 1985 Gus Johnson (Oct. 1) @ Swing to Bop: An Oral History of the Transition in Jazz in the 1940’s Ira Gitler p. 24: We’d have jam sessions, “head-cutting” sessions.…The first thing the drummer said was he was there to “cut heads” on drums. Jesse Price, he was nowhere to be found. He was a “head cutter” around at the time. So, I was down there, and we went in a litle place down there, and everybody said, “Come on. Play. Come on. Play.” I wouldn’t play until after he got drunk. After he got drunk, then I’d cut his head. 1990 Bill White (Feb. 21) @ Usenet: rec.music.gaffa David Datta “EM Survey 4”: I’d still like to have seen him cut heads with Vai or Van Halen. 1991 Dave Tianen Milwaukee Sentinel (Wisc.) (Oct. 30) “Blues guitarist Rogers masterful, imaginative” p. 6B: When it comes to slide guitar, he can cut heads with any guitar-slinger on the range. 2005 [Al] Diary of Guitar Guy Al (Jan. 19) “Bands I’ve been in Part 5: The First and Second Gig”: I still long to be in a band that plays just good, old, classic rock and roll music. After playing that song, Phil asked me if I wanted to “cut heads” which is blues slang for friendly competition of dueling guitar solos.

Posted 26 Jan 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

Thanks for all of the great stories. I have a question. What is the origin of the term “cutting heads”. I always thought that it had to do with the killing floors where animals were slaughtered. Can you help find me the answer?

Thanks,
Tim

by Tim 25 Mar 09, 0147 GMT