Swing Rhythms
Since the early 20th century there have been many new styles of music which use a rhythmic feeling called swing. These styles include Blues, Rock, Jazz, Gospel, Soul, Funk and Hip-Hop. A swing rhythm is created by tying together the first two notes of a triplet. There are several different ways of writing swing rhythms.
To understand them it is worth using one musical example written in various ways. The following example has the first and second notes of each triplet tied together. Sing this example and listen to the feeling created by the rhythm.
Instead of tying the first two notes of the triplet group, a quarter note can be used. The quarter note grouped with an eighth note by a triplet bracket shows clearly that the first note is worth two thirds of the beat, while the second note is worth only one third. Sing the following example and notice that it sounds the same as the previous one. This is just a different way of writing the rhythm.
A third way to write the same rhythm is to notate the whole thing in eighth notes and to write 6 = z at the start of the music. Jazz musicians usually write swing rhythms in this manner, as it is easier to read.
The following example contains some common rhythms using triplets and swing eighth notes. As with previous rhythm exercises, clap the rhythms while counting and tapping your foot on the beat. Then sing the rhythms along with the example using the syllable ba and then sing them from memory while tapping your foot on each beat.
These phrases use the same rhythms as the previous example, however this time they are applied to the C Blues scale. On the recording, the syllable ba is used but try these phrases with other syllables as well.
