American Roots Music: Swing

Let's begin to describe what swing music actually is and where it's from: 

The swing "era" is known as the time between 1930 and 1945, but swing can mean so many things. It is known as a style of jazz-like music that stems from African American roots and was originally popularized in black communities. It can be traced back to West African styles being layered with Western European methods of music. The first style of swing came from the USA and UK. Evolving from jazz, it began in places like New Orleans, Kansas City, Chicago, and New York. Other influencers of swing include rockabilly, boogie-woogie, and the blues. Swing music hit its kickoff around 1935 after its previous rejection with only a few listeners. Originally, there was rejection and conflict surrounding swing. During its popularization, leaders would “dumb down” some of the tunes to make them sound softer. Big bands were already present and alive before swing kicked through the door, but these terms are not necessarily interchangeable because these bands played different kinds of music - music meant for dancing and music meant for almost anything. 

Generally, the swing is known from all the larger orchestral jazz bands but is explained through a certain type of music theory (musical compositional and structure behind a piece). Described simply, in a way that I could understand, and hopefully, you can too, swing music is depicted with the "galloping" sound compounded with the early jazz rhythm. Artists will achieve this by playing eight notes like triplets. What does this mean for all the non-music playing/reading members? A triplet is a group of three notes or rests that are played at the same time as two notes of the same value. This three and two method is derived from West Africa.  An eighth note can be described like this: a whole note can be divided into four equal parts- quarter notes. An eighth note is a subpart of a quarter note where each beat is broken down into two equal parts. Basically, an eighth note is a subdivision of a subdivision. What makes swing, swing, is the way artists will emphasize the off-beat (which is normally the weaker beat). 

Characteristics of swing include bluesy riffs, even including call and response riffs. There is clear harmony, melody, and rhythm. There are two different types of swing: hot and sweet. Sweet swing was a bit slower and more directed towards class dinner parties and such. Artists like Glenn Miller would perform Sweet Swing: 

Then, there is Hot Swing, arguably the more popular swing, which was more improvised with stronger and more emphasized rhythms. Artists like Duke Ellington performed this type: 

So what does it sound like? Well, this combination of music theory can deliver a smoother, easier listening, and relatively simple element to music because the whole band is working together and moving together. Big bands would play this music in clubs and halls for dancing crowds with elements of dance and jazz. Instruments would include pianos, bass, and drums, a brass section (trumpets/trombones), and a wind section (the sax! and clarinet). Sometimes, bands would also include string instruments. Swing includes elements of ragtime, black spirituals, blues, and even European music! Some pieces were strictly focused on the band's talent, but some were surrounded by a soloist or duet vocal performance in front of a big band. Because swing became so well-known, it was the pop music of this era and later evolved music after its decline- for example, the movement of the swing revival during the 1950s. When artists like Nat King Cole and Dean Martin sang in front of Swing-like music, it was like the world was exploding. 

The Swing migration began with the spark from Benny Goodman with his big band. Largely notable artists include Duke Ellington (I’m sure we’ve all heard of him), Chick Webb, Luis Russel, Armstrong, and Hines. Benny Goodman, the nicknamed King of Swing, was born in Chicago and was a clarinetist and bandleader. He studied music and later became a member of the Chicago Symphony. Before his work on the radio, orchestras, and Broadway, Goodman was developing his career as a jazz star. He later went on the road to perform with his orchestra making musical history as he developed jazz music among Count Basie and Duke Ellington. These individuals later went on to make music in the Swing Era. Here are some videos from The King of Swing:  

One prominent lyric that may have further influenced swing music came from Duke Ellington. He said, “It doesn't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing”. He directed this at the guests who weren’t dancing if there wasn’t that upbeat energy from the Swing Era! Later another variation of the video I posted earlier came out, there was a song made by Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington” It don't mean a thing If it ain't got that swing"

The large jazz scene in the 1920s was very popular with the rapidly developing music scene and dance prohibition clubs. With this new music theory coming to the surface from these big bands, this driving rhythm sent New York Harlem into a frenzy to find new dances to combine this new style of swing. Dances like The Lindy Hop were invented and through public practice and publication, it was refined! Here's an example of the Lindy Hop with some swing, performed by the popularized Whiteys Lindy Hoppers. 

Lindy Hop, like many other swing dances, can be described as something high energy with air steps, evolving from jazz and tap dances. Lindy Hop comes from African American roots in the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem NYC.  They say that inspiration was derived from Charles Lindbergh, an aviator who hopped all across the Atlantic. Popular Dances included individuals such as George Showden, “Shorty” and Norma Miller. Lindy Hop took its roots in Hollywood and became a popularized dance throughout the United States. One thing that was interesting, as well as inclusive- especially during this time of segregation- was that the Savoy Ballroom was open to all individuals which included people of color. This was one of the only ballrooms that allowed this. Here is a video of George Showden dancing the Charleston, which is known as a type of shuffle dance. He even has a nicknamed dance, called the Shorty George!

I hope you guys enjoyed learning a little more about swing as I did :)

“What Is Swing.” Carnegiehall.org, https://www.carnegiehall.org/Education/Programs/Link-Up/National-Program/The-Orchestra-Swings. 

Alex Lavoie works as a staff writer at LANDR by day and moonlights as a drummer for folk-rock outfit The Painters. “What Is Swing? The Basics of Jazz Rhythm Explained.” LANDR Blog, 22 Feb. 2022, https://blog.landr.com/what-is-swing/. 

“Swing: 1920.” Jazz History Tree, https://www.jazzhistorytree.com/swing/. 

“Music Theory, E-MUS.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/browse/Music-Theory/2.

fiveminutemozart. “How to Read Eighth Notes | Rhythmic Dictation | Music Theory Tutorial.” YouTube, YouTube, 3 Oct. 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmVq2J3IkPE. 

jalcjazzacademy. “Jazz Fundamentals: What Is Swing?” YouTube, YouTube, 24 Feb. 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31JgwfP15kw. 

“Main Page.” Visit the Main Page, https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/. 

“Benny Goodman.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 23 Apr. 2021, https://www.biography.com/musician/benny-goodman.