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An Explanation Of Swing

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“Swing” as a rhythmic phenomenon refers to the groove that is central to jazz. This groove is formed by a four-beat rhythm with a contrasting backbeat. According to J. Bradford Robinson of Oxford Music Online, swing comes from the abilities of the jazz musicians to manipulate the backbeat to contrast with the main four-beat pulse, though it has to be done just right, because simple rhythmic conflicts don’t always cause the music to swing. These can be made of changes in timbre and intonation, all the way down to the decisions the musicians make about where to play notes in a way that rhythmically makes sense. Robinson also notes that different levels and variations of swing can also be applied, and all the different factors that go into it

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