Swing Rhythms
A swing rhythm is created by tying together the first and second 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. First play this example, which contains eighth note triplets.
This example has the first and second notes of the triplet group tied, which gives it a swing feel.
The two eighth note triplets tied together in the previous example can be replaced by a quarter note. Notice this does not change the sound.
To simplify notation, it is common to replace the z rhythm with6 , and to write at the start of the piece 6= z as illustrated in the next example. Again, the example still sounds the same.
Now try this longer example. The chord progression here has been used in a variety of styles including Jazz, Rock, Blues and Rockabilly. Swing rhythms are common in all these styles.
