Longplaying is a word used to describe vinyl records with extended play times. It is pronounced /ˈlɔːŋpleɪɪŋ/ and spelled with two separate words – long and playing – which are joined together with a hyphen. The first syllable 'long' is pronounced with a long 'o' sound, while the second syllable 'playing' is pronounced with a short 'a' sound. The word 'longplaying' is commonly abbreviated as LP, and it has become a popular term in the music industry for vinyl records.
Longplaying, commonly abbreviated as LP, refers to a vinyl record format widely used for the distribution of recorded music during the mid-20th century. It is characterized by its extended playback time and higher fidelity compared to previous recording technologies such as shellac-based 78 rpm records. A longplaying record typically has a diameter of 12 inches and rotates at a speed of 33⅓ revolutions per minute.
The term "longplaying" encompasses the physical medium itself as well as the musical content it carries. LPs are typically made from vinyl, a durable and flexible plastic material that contains a series of concentric grooves etched with sound information. These grooves are then read by a needle attached to a turntable, transforming the physical grooves into sound waves that can be amplified and played through speakers.
The longplaying format revolutionized the music industry by allowing for the storage and playback of longer and more complex musical compositions. The increased playing time of LPs, as well as their ability to reproduce a wider frequency range, provided artists and listeners with greater creative possibilities. This format facilitated the release of entire albums, giving artists the opportunity to present a cohesive body of work instead of relying solely on individual songs. The longplaying format remained dominant until the rise of digital music formats in the late 20th century. Nevertheless, LPs have experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, driven by a nostalgia for the medium's unique sound quality and tangible nature.
The word "longplaying" or "LP" originated from the development of long-playing records, a type of vinyl record used for audio recordings. The term was coined by Columbia Records, a major record label, in 1948. The "long" in "longplaying" refers to the extended playing time compared to previous record formats. Before the introduction of LPs, most records could only hold a limited amount of music and had to be changed frequently, as they offered around five minutes of audio per side. The LP, on the other hand, utilized microgroove technology, allowing for a significant increase in playing time. It could hold approximately 20 minutes of audio per side, revolutionizing the music industry. Over time, the term "longplaying" was shortened to just "LP" and became a standard designation for this type of record.