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Swing
Just what is "Swing". This lesson will have you playing Traditional Swing, Hard Swing. As well as how it applies to various styles.
Swing, Shuffle, Boogie Woogie,...
In music, the term swing has two main uses. Colloquially, it is used to describe the propulsive quality or feel
of a rhythm, especially when the music prompts a visceral response such as foot-tapping or head-nodding. This sense can also be called groove. It is also known as shuffle
.
And really, it's just Rhythm, a rhythmic pattern applied to various styles.
Swing is an interpretation of the traditional even eight notes involving alternately lengthening and shortening the first and second consecutive notes.
Even Quarter Notes
To discuss what type of notes can be sung. We need to cover what type of notes can not be swung.
Quarter notes can not be Swung
.
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Even Quarter Notes — Level I Modular Phonetic Rhythm
So basically you can not swing the downbeat.
Even Eight Notes
Each eight of a pair are given equal time (length).
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Even Eight Notes — Level II Modular Phonetic Rhythm
Traditional Swing Eight Notes
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Written
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Played
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Traditional Swing Eight Notes — Level III Modular Phonetic Rhythm
Hard
Swing Eight Notes
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Written
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Played
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Hard
Swing Eight Notes — Level III Modular Phonetic Rhythm
Level II Modular Phonetic Rhythm Syllables
Level II Modular Phonetic Rhythm Syllables are where the beat is sub-divided in two and is the beat sub-division that can be swung.
Written
Level IIS Modular Phonetic Rhythmic Syllables
Played
Level IIS Modular Phonetic Rhythmic Syllables with Count
Summary
That is Swing
, both Traditional Swing and Hard Swing. It all comes down the simplifying counting to learn the sound of and rhythmic figure/pattern.
It's possible to have other subdivision of 3 into 2. However the Traditional Swing and Hard Swing versions are the most common.
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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!
Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.
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Modular Phonetic Rhythm by Chuck Anderson
Updated: 01 Jan 2003
Modular Phonetic Rhythm represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm.
Related Songs
Related Songs for Swing
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Related Books & Charts
Related Books for Swing
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Modular Phonetic Rhythm, The Foundation and Workbook 1
Updated: 08 Dec 2021
Modular Phonetic Rhythm represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm.
A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.
Books
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Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.
Reference Charts
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Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes
A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A), A4
Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.