I've looked at about 50 different sites and books and STILL dont understand what a loop is. Is it just a drum or something playing the same thing over and over?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/...isco_quiz.shtml

I got question one on that test wrong, I said it was a loop, but apparantly it's playing octaves.. however, its playing the same thing over and over, right? So why can't it be a loop? Or is that only in drums or something? Ahh, thanks for your help
xx

You would not use the term loop to describe something that is repeated over and over again because any live musician could do this. A loop is a RECORDING of a pattern of notes or rhythms which is copied repeatedly so that it repeats constantly when played back. You could do this on a sequencer by recording a few bars and then copying it repeatedly.You can only have looping using some sort of music technology.It sounded to me like a live band on the recording:the bass player was just playing the same thing over and over again but I don't think any technology was being used to get the repeats so you wouldn't describe it as looping.
Hope this helps

was passing thro' and saw this.

yep, you got what a loop is. it's a sequence of one or more bars repeated. used in sequencers - computer software used to compose music either using notation like finale or piano-roll like cubase where you draw the duration of your notes along a grid.

it gets its name from the way its done - you compose what instruments you want to happen where in the bar(s) then join the end up to the beginning so it repeats [ the computer does that for you]. you can literally have it running though the entire song or use it just when you need it. most composers intermix several loops to prevent monotony or make the loop 4 bars long to give variation.


any help?

sorry i couldn't help with your bbc question, flippn firewall blocked something real-player was tryin to do.

thats ok, i completley understand now, thanks you 2 =)