note-bash

UK/ˈnəʊtˌbæʃ/

verb

To learn the most basic aspects of a piece of music (such as the notes and rhythm) via rote repetition, without regard for tempo, dynamics, style or musicality; typically done when first learning a new piece, as a way to understand it and build muscle memory.

“I hate note-bashing - we've been doing it all afternoon!”

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Meanings

verbnote-bash (third-person singular simple present note-bashes, present participle note-bashing, simple past and past participle note-bashed)

present singular third person note-bashes · participle present note-bashing · participle past note-bashed · past note-bashed · alternative note bash

  1. UKinformalintransitiveentertainmentTo learn the most basic aspects of a piece of music (such as the notes and rhythm) via rote repetition, without regard for tempo, dynamics, style or musicality; typically done when first learning a new piece, as a way to understand it and build muscle memory.

    I hate note-bashing - we've been doing it all afternoon!

Origin

From note + bash, as an allusion to bashing the keys of a piano in an unmusical fashion when first learning a piece.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

note-bash. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/note-bash

MLA

“note-bash.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/note-bash. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “note-bash,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/note-bash.

Source: note-bash on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.