skiffle-group

A musician performs with a skiffle-group at a small cafe.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A musical ensemble playing skiffle: A "skiffle group" is a small band or musical group that performs skiffle music, a genre that emerged in the 1950s, characterized by a blend of folk, jazz, and blues, often using homemade or improvised instruments such as washboards, jugs, and tea-chest basses, alongside standard instruments like guitars and banjos.

Usage Examples

• (A small band playing skiffle music.)
• (A beginner-level ensemble for skiffle music.)

Advanced Usage

• "to form a skiffle group": to create or establish a small band dedicated to playing skiffle music.
  • In the 1950s, teenagers often formed a skiffle group in their garages. (They created a small band for skiffle music.)
• "to join a skiffle group": to become a member of such a musical ensemble.
  • He joined a skiffle group to learn basic rhythm instruments. (He became part of a skiffle band.)

Variants and Related Words

• Skiffle (n): the musical genre itself, a style of folk music with jazz and blues influences, popular in the 1950s.
  • Skiffle was a key influence on early rock and roll. (The genre of music.)
• Skiffler (n): a musician who plays skiffle music.
  • The skiffler strummed a banjo while another played the washboard. (A skiffle musician.)

Synonyms

• Band: a general term for a group of musicians.
• Ensemble: a group of musicians performing together.
• Jug band: a similar type of band that uses homemade instruments, often overlapping with skiffle groups.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms