barrelhouse

(băr'əl-hous')
n.

1. A disreputable old-time saloon or bawdyhouse.
2. An early style of jazz characterized by boisterous piano playing, free group improvisation, and an accented two-beat rhythm.

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A style of piano blues, dating from the early 20th century, which is a simple form of boogie-woogie, in regular 4/4 metre rather than with eight beats to the bar. The term, also used to mean ‘crude’ or ‘rough’, has been incorporated into the titles of tunes associated with the style.

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For a list of words related to barrelhouse, see:

• Styles and Genres - barrelhouse: jazz piano style with lively beat, orig. 1920’s
• Bars, Bar Tools, and Habitués - barrelhouse: cheap drinking and dancing establishment

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See words rhyming with "barrelhouse."

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