TRANSCRIPT:
I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.
If there’s one sound that defines classic jazz, it’s the feel of swing. At its core, swing comes from dividing the beat into uneven triplets, creating that long-short “da-DUM, da-DUM” feel that propels the music forward. The rhythm section—bass, drums, and piano—locks into this groove, with the walking bass line and ride cymbal pattern working together to create momentum and buoyancy.
Swing is phrasing that leans slightly behind or ahead of the beat, call-and-response lines, and the elastic push-and-pull between musicians.
Swing is a pulse that invites you to tap your foot, nod your head, and feel the music move.
This has been Rapp on Jazz—a co-production of ColaJazz and SC Public Radio, made possible by The ETV Endowment of South Carolina.