Swing
Definition. Jazz rhythm where eighth notes are played unevenly — long-short rather than even — creating a rolling, swinging feel.
Detailed Explanation
Swing is a jazz rhythmic style where pairs of eighth notes are played unevenly — the first slightly longer than the second — creating a rolling, propulsive feel. The exact ratio varies (typically about 2:1 for the long-short pair), but the feel rather than the math is what matters.
Swing rhythm is fundamental to jazz from the 1930s onward. Big band jazz (Ellington, Basie, Goodman), bebop (Parker, Gillespie), and most subsequent jazz styles use swing eighth notes as the default rhythmic feel. The rhythm gives the music its characteristic forward propulsion — jazz ‘swings’ rather than marching.
In notation, swing is sometimes indicated by an instruction at the start of the piece (‘swing eighths’) or by a dotted-eighth-and-sixteenth pattern that represents the long-short relationship. Performers develop the swing feel through listening and practice; precise notation can’t fully capture the rhythmic nuance.
Etymology
English, descriptive — the music ‘swings’.
In Practice
Listen to great jazz recordings to internalize swing feel. The exact ratio varies by tempo and style; faster swing tends toward more even eighth notes, slower swing toward more pronounced long-short.
Notable Examples
- Ellington — It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (explicit swing reference)
- Basie — Various (iconic big band swing)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Swing mean in music?
Jazz rhythm where eighth notes are played unevenly — long-short rather than even — creating a rolling, swinging feel.
Where does the word Swing come from?
English, descriptive — the music ‘swings’.
How is Swing performed in practice?
Listen to great jazz recordings to internalize swing feel. The exact ratio varies by tempo and style; faster swing tends toward more even eighth notes, slower swing toward more pronounced long-short.
What musical terms are related to Swing?
Related terms include: Syncopation, Tempo Giusto.
Practice with Songtive's free tools
Hear this term applied — explore chord charts, fingerings and the music engine.
Piano chordsGuitar chordsVirtual piano
