Post on 03-Sep-2014
description
SWING
PICTURE???
Defini3ons of “Swing”
Swing can refer to -‐ • The beat or feel, and the subdivision of the the beats.
• A style of jazz that developed in the early 1930’s
• A style of dancing that developed with Swing music.
Swing – Beat
• Marches were popular in the United States during late 1800’s.
• Usually in 2/4 3me – example John Phillip Sousa’s Semper Fidelis
• ? G7/ / G7/ / C/ / C / / G7 / / G7 / / C / / C / / G7 / / G7 / / C / / C/G7.B / G / / G / / D7 / / G7 / ???
• Out of this tradi3on Rag*me developed in the late 1890’s. – Maple Leaf Rag
• Rag3me uses Syncopa*on
Swing – Beat
• This syncopa3on led to the Ragging of melodies.
• Ragging freed up the beat and gradually an even four beat feel developed.
Swing – Beat
• The subdivision of the beat became more relaxed, so that the fundamental subdivision of Semi quavers became closer to a triplets.
Swing – Beat
• All popular music was effected by this development.
• For example the doaed crotchet!
Swing – Beat
• Swing is one of the defining characteris3cs of Jazz.
• We therefore effec3vely have two rhythmic feels – – Straight – beats are evenly divided • Rag3me, La3n, La3n Jazz, Rock and Fusion –
– Swing – beats are un-‐evenly divided • Swing, Be-‐Bop, Hard Bop, Tradi3onal or Main Stream
Swing -‐ Style
• Swing also refers to the style of jazz that developed in the early 1930’s – Decline of the New Orleans style of jazz – Emphasis on improvisa3on is s3ll important – Repertoire is based on the Tin Pan Alley and Broadway Show tunes
Swing – Style
• Larger ensembles -‐ the rise of Big Bands. – Tuba is superseded by the Double Bass and there is an even four being played (as opposed to the 2/4 feel or cut 3me feel that New Orleans was oeen based on.)
– Banjo is replaced by Rhythm guitar – Basic pulse is played on the hi-‐hat rather than the snare drum. Again moving away from the March type concep3on of New Orleans music.
Swing -‐ Style
– Harmonic rhythm increases, rather than chords las3ng for several bars, the chords would change every bar, oeen with two chords per bar.
– Although oeen the big bands were the popular ensembles of Swing, many musicians played in smaller ensembles, and preferred this.
– The combina3on of Big band ideas in a small group sehng gave rise to “Jump”, “Rhythm & Blues” and early Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Swing – Style
• During WWII there was a recording ban so Big band records were stock piled and released during the ban.
• Big Bands and singers were sent overseas to entertain American and Allied troops. – For example Glen Miller, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Dorsey Brothers, etc.
• Hence the enduring popularity of Swing Jazz. – Other important examples – Duke Ellington, Count Basie,
Swing Dancing
• Music inextricably linked to singing, dancing and community in many cultures, including African.
• Therefore Dancing has always been an important part of popular music.
• The dances associated with Swing Jazz, like the music have endured, with names like The Cakewalk, The Charleston and Lindy Hop
Shake That Thing