The name came from the emphasis on the off–beat, or weaker pulse. Swing was hugely popular – in fact, it was the pop music of the 1930’s. Swing music study guide by bailey_smith59 includes 10 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more. Swing bands and sales continued to decline from 1953 to 1954. of, relating to, or characteristic of swing: to move or cause to move rhythmically to and fro, as a free-hanging object; sway, to move, walk, etc, with a relaxed and swaying motion, to pivot or cause to pivot, as on a hinge, to move or cause to move by suspending or being suspended, to hang or be hung so as to be able to turn freely, to alter or cause to alter habits, a course, etc, to raise or hoist, esp in a sweeping motion, to hit out or strike (at), esp with a sweeping motion, to wave (a weapon, etc) in a sweeping motion; flourish, to arrange or play (music) with the rhythmically flexible and compulsive quality associated with jazz, (of popular music, esp jazz, or of the musicians who play it) to have this quality, to swap sexual partners in a group, esp habitually, to bowl (a ball) with swing or (of a ball) to move with a swing, to turn (a ship or aircraft) in order to test compass error, the act or manner of swinging or the distance covered while swinging, a wide punch from the side similar to but longer than a hook, the lateral movement of a bowled ball through the air, something that swings or is swung, esp a suspended seat on which a person may sit and swing back and forth, a kind of popular dance music influenced by jazz, usually played by big bands and originating in the 1930s, a steady distinct rhythm or cadence in prose or verse, a fluctuation, as in some business activity, voting pattern etc, able to bring about a swing in a voting pattern, having a mixed voting history, and thus becoming a target for political election campaigners, (in the North) a train of freight sleighs or canoes. Electro swing combines the influence of vintage or modern swing and jazz mixed with house, hip hop and EDM. Let's divide the question into (A) playing with a swing or shuffle feel, and (B) performing music as in swing or shuffle musical genre style. I icky (n) one who is not hip, a stupid person, can't collar the jive. Meanwhile, string bass players such as Walter Page were developing their technique to the point where they could hold down the bottom end of a full-sized dance orchestra.[11]. Also off-beats are generally emphasized, or syncopated. Swing definition, to cause to move to and fro, sway, or oscillate, as something suspended from above: to swing one's arms in walking. This rhythm and variations of it is the driving force behind swing (jazz) music.

The rhythmic style of most jazz. The sudden success of the Goodman orchestra transformed the landscape of popular music in America. Gypsy swing is an outgrowth of the jazz violin swing of Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang. Much of the top instrumental talent of the period were performing in small band formats ranging from R&B to bebop. It was on earlier on the West Coast and developed the audience that later led to Goodman's Palomar Ballroom triumph. to hit at someone or something, with the hand or something grasped in the hand: to be characterized by a modern, lively atmosphere: to be stylish, trendy, hip, etc., especially in pursuing enjoyment. For one thing, it refers to a particular lilting rhythmic style that is based on a triplet subdivision of the beat. A kind of jazz generally played by a “Big Band” and characterized by a lively rhythm suitable for dancing. In Seattle the New Deal Rhythm Band and the Horns O Plenty Orchestra revived 1930s swing with a dose of comedy behind vocalists Phil "De Basket" Shallat, Cheryl "Benzene" Bentyne, and six-foot-tall "Little Janie" Lambert. Like Mullican, he was important in bringing piano to the fore of popular music. To fight and/or punch another individual. What does swing mean ... "The music has to swing" swing, get around (verb) be a social swinger; socialize a lot. a regular upward or downward movement in the price of a commodity or of … The backyard or playground swing-set is from 1951. (= scope, freedom) In music, the term swing has two main uses. '"We are the Sultans of Swing" - he says as the band play one more tune, hard and fast. ", Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Squirrel Nut Zippers Reissuing 'Hot' - Listen to Unreleased 1991 Song 'The Puffer': Exclusive", Blowin' Hot and Cool: Jazz and Its Critics, "The 1942 Recording Ban and the ASCAP/BMI War", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Swing_music&oldid=1001163999, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles that may contain original research from August 2020, All articles that may contain original research, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Those restrictions made broadcast swing much less appealing for the year in which the ban was in place. Swing definition, to cause to move to and fro, sway, or oscillate, as something suspended from above: to swing one's arms in walking. Dregni, Michael (2004). The feeling of swing music is compound, but it is usually written in simple.

In drumming it refers to the swing cymbal rhythm or what the old masters would call "spang-a-lang". Ex. Although they originated in different continents, similarities have often been noted between gypsy swing and Western swing]l, leading to various fusions. a blow or stroke with the hand or an object grasped in the hands: a change or shift in attitude, opinion, behavior, etc. Vocalist Peggy Lee joined the Goodman Orchestra in 1941 for a two-year stint, quickly becoming its star attraction on its biggest hits. In addition to the idiom beginning with swing, The Most Surprisingly Serendipitous Words Of The Day, The Dictionary.com Word Of The Year For 2020 Is …. Audiences used to traditional "sweet" arrangements, such as those offered by Guy Lombardo, Sammy Kaye, Kay Kyser and Shep Fields, were taken aback by the rambunctiousness of swing music. In 1940 vocalist Vaughn Monroe was leading his own big band and Frank Sinatra was becoming the star attraction of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, inciting mass hysteria among bobby-soxers. The requirement for volume led to continued use of the sousaphone over the string bass with the larger ensembles, which dictated a more conservative approach to rhythm based on 2/4 time signatures. Drummer Buddy Rich, after briefly leading one big band during the late 1940s and performing in various jazz and big band gigs, formed his definitive big band in 1966. to move in a curve, as around a corner or central point: to move with a free, swaying motion, as soldiers on the march. Coleman Hawkins arrived back from an extended stay in Europe to New York in 1939, recorded his famous version of “Body and Soul”, and fronted his own big band. All rights reserved. With the early 1930s came the financial difficulties of the Great Depression that curtailed recording of the new music and drove some bands out of business, including the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra and McKinney's Cotton Pickers in 1934. Information and translations of swing music in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Many of these singers were also involved in the "less swinging" vocal pop music of this period. Many of the bands played neo-swing which combined swing with rockabilly, ska, and rock. The Victor Recording Orchestra won the respect of the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra in a Battle of the Bands; Henderson's cornetist Rex Stewart credited the Goldkette band with being the most influential white band in the development of swing music before Benny Goodman's. Some musicians are said to have a harder swing than others, meaning that their interpretations are farther from a straight version of a piece than others. A subculture of jitterbuggers, sometimes growing quite competitive, congregated around ballrooms that featured hot swing music. "Swing house" was particularly popular during the late 1980s and early 1990s. They don't care about the band, they don't get this music. [8][9] Hines' style was a seminal influence on the styles of swing-era pianists Teddy Wilson, Art Tatum, Jess Stacy, Nat "King" Cole, Erroll Garner, Mary Lou Williams, and Jay McShann. By the early 1920s guitars and pianos sometimes substituted for the banjo and a string bass sometimes substituted for the sousaphone. In 2001 Robbie Williams's album Swing When You're Winning consisted mainly of popular swing covers. swing verb (MUSIC) [ I or T ] to play music in a strong, exciting style like jazz, or (of music) to be played in this way SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases The band play on - this tune now Louisiana creole. Or do you just have an interest in foreign languages? Kirchner, Bill, ed. the act, manner, or progression of swinging; movement in alternate directions or in a particular direction. Parov Stelar, Caravan Palace, Caro Emerald, Jamie Berry, Alice Francis, Bart&Baker, ProleteR, Peggy Suave, Swing Republic, Waldeck and Wolfgang Lohr are representative of this genre! To go arm's in. The term “swing” has broad associations. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. Noun. Either way, this quiz on Spanish words for animals is for you. Both genres are connected with a revival of swing dances, such as the Lindy hop. to move to and fro in a swing, as for recreation. When you mentioned the word Jazz to the average person, they probably think of Swing music, and for good reason. This aesthetic heavily centers the music genre. operating at the highest speed or level of activity; in full operation: to strike or attempt to strike with the fist: a style of jazz, popular especially in the 1930s and often arranged for a large dance band, marked by a smoother beat and more flowing phrasing than Dixieland and having less complex harmonies and rhythms than modern jazz. [3] In the late 1980s to early 1990s, new urban-styled swing-beat emerged called new jack swing (New York go-go), created by young producer Teddy Riley. swing music: a style of jazz played by big bands popular in the 1930s; flowing rhythms but less complex than later styles of jazz swing music - definition and meaning Community Synonyms: swing, oscillate, sway, rock2, vibrate, waver These verbs mean literally to move one way and then another, usually back and forth or to and fro. Small band swing was recorded for small specialty labels not affected by the ban. Meaning "suspended seat on ropes" is from 1680s. His approach to rhythm often used accents on the lead-in instead of the main beat, and mixed meters, to build a sense of anticipation to the rhythm and make his playing swing. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. to engage uninhibitedly in sexual activity. Swing music may include styles such as jazz, hip-hop, blues, rock-n-roll, ragtime, R&B, funk, and pop. New York became a touchstone for national success of big bands, with nationally broadcast engagements at the Roseland and Savoy ballrooms a sign that a swing band had arrived on the national scene. It humiliated Goodman's band,[16] and had memorable encounters with the Ellington and Basie bands. Electro swing is mainly popular in Europe, and electro swing artists incorporate influences such as tango and Django Reinhardt's gypsy swing. (of married couples) to exchange partners for sexual activity. [20] In his 1941 autobiography, W. C. Handy wrote that "prominent white orchestra leaders, concert singers and others are making commercial use of Negro music in its various phases. Synonym Discussion of swing. swing music: 1 n a style of jazz played by big bands popular in the 1930s; flowing rhythms but less complex than later styles of jazz Synonyms: jive , swing Type of: jazz a genre of popular music that originated in New Orleans around 1900 and developed through increasingly complex styles By adding the shuffle marking at the beginning of the music we can avoid a busy mess of notes and end up with an easier-to-read line of music. What is Swing? Other big jazz bands that drove the 1950s–60s revival include those led by Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Quincy Jones, and Oliver Nelson. He also used "stops" or musical silences to build tension in his phrasing. to have free swing in carrying out a project. What does swing music mean? His name became synonymous with the dynamic, exuberant style of his big band. Miller's trademark clarinet-led reed section was decidedly "sweet," but the Miller catalog had no shortage of bouncy, medium-tempo dance tunes and some up-tempo tunes such as Mission to Moscow and the Lionel Hampton composition “Flying Home”. The chosen music style typically determines which swing dance should be danced. : He swung from mere indifference to outright scorn. Meaning of swing music. a style of jazz, popular especially in the 1930s and often arranged for a large dance band, marked by a smoother beat and more flowing phrasing than Dixieland and having less complex harmonies and rhythms than modern jazz. Learn more. Some, such as the Nelson Riddle and Gordon Jenkins Orchestras, became well known in their own right, with Riddle particularly associated with the success of Sinatra and Cole. a change by a group of workers from working one shift to working another. 13. to arrange or play (music) with the rhythmically flexible and compulsive quality associated with jazz. In country music Jimmie Rodgers, Moon Mullican, and Bob Wills combined elements of swing and blues to create a Western swing. jam (1) (n) improvised swing music. Ability to adapt performing styles to various situations was an essential skill among these bands-for-hire, with a somewhat sedated version of swing in common use for backing up vocalists. Swing bands usually featured soloists who would improvise on the melody over the arrangement. The Henderson band also featured Coleman Hawkins, Benny Carter, and Buster Bailey as soloists, who all were influential in the development of swing era instrumental styles. Ten years ago this type of music was flourishing, albeit amidst adverse conditions and surrounded by hearty indifference....It is the repetition and monotony of present-day Swing arrangements which bode ill for the future. ... (also swing music) → swing m, música f swing. swing (n.) Old English swinge "stroke, blow; chastisement," from swing (v.). To fight and/or punch another individual. The growth of radio broadcasting and the recording industry in the 1920s allowed some of the more popular dance bands to gain national exposure. swing phrase. Strictly defined, it is a triple subdivision of the beat against duple subdivisions. Rock music hitmakers like Fats Domino and Elvis Presley included swing-era standards in their repertoire, making crooning ballads “Are You Lonesome Tonight” and “My Blue Heaven” into rock and roll-era hits. Ellington's venture back into big band jazz was encouraged by its reception at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival. Some of the more commercial big bands catered to more "sweet" sensibilities with string sections. The recording found the commercial success that had eluded its original release. Bentyne would leave the New Deal Rhythm Band in 1978 for her long career with Manhattan Transfer. The name came from the emphasis on the off–beat, or weaker pulse. Their repertoire overlaps 1930s swing, including French popular music, gypsy songs, and compositions by Reinhardt, but gypsy swing bands are formulated differently. 15. slang. "Swing and the Lindy Hop: Dance, Venue, Media, and Tradition". Big band music would experience a resurgence during the 1950s, but the connection between the later big band music and the swing era was tenuous. One impetus was the demand for studio and stage orchestras as backups for popular vocalists, and in radio and television broadcasts. In a 1939 Downbeat interview, Duke Ellington expressed dissatisfaction with the creative state of swing music;[22] within a few years he and other bandleaders would be delving into more ambitious, and less danceable, forms of orchestral jazz and the creative forefront for soloists would be moving into smaller ensembles and bebop. In the meantime, vocalists continued to record backed by vocal groups and the recording industry released earlier swing recordings from their vaults, increasingly reflecting the popularity of big band vocalists. Oxford University Press. Learn more. Swing is not a genre of music, rather a performance style. ASCAP also demanded pre-approval of set lists and even written solos for live broadcasts, to assure that not even a quoted fragment of ASCAP repertoire was broadcast. Swing dancing originated in the late 1920s as the "Lindy Hop," and would later incorporate other styles including The Suzie Q, Truckin', Peckin' Jive, The Big Apple, and The Shag in various combinations of moves. Vocalists were becoming the star attractions of the big bands. However, understanding the origins of the term in jazz and with live musicians is a useful starting point in order to understand how the swing function works in software and electronic music hardware. The other major element of jazz music is the swing note. Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012. The meaning "variety of big dance-band music with a swinging rhythm" is first recorded 1933, though the sense has been traced back to 1888; its heyday was from mid-30s to mid-40s. The Savoy Sultans and other smaller bands led by Louis Jordan, Lucky Millinder, Louis Prima, and Tony Pastor were showcasing an exuberant "jump swing" style that would lead to the postwar rise of R&B. Hines' melodic, horn-like conception of playing deviated from the contemporary conventions in jazz piano centered on building rhythmic patterns around "pivot notes." swing implies regular or uniform movement. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Some jazz critics such as Hugues Panassié held the polyphonic improvisation of New Orleans jazz to be the pure form of jazz, with swing a form corrupted by regimentation and commercialism. Some "progressive" big bands such as those led by Stan Kenton and Boyd Raeburn stayed oriented towards jazz, but not jazz for dancing. The bands of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller played swing. Russell, Ross, Jazz Style in Kansas City and the Southwest, Berkeley, CA, University of California Press, 1972, 291 p. "It's not very difficult to understand the evolution of jazz into Swing. [12][13] Whiteman's Orchestra enjoyed great commercial success and was a major influence on the sweet bands. to influence or win over; manage or arrange as desired: to swing votes; to swing a business deal. noun Also called Big Band music, swing music. '"We are the Sultans of Swing" - he says as the band play one more tune, hard and fast. As the 1920s turned to the 1930s, the new concepts in rhythm and ensemble playing that comprised the swing style were transforming the sounds of large and small bands. Others, such as blues and jazz, use swing almost exclusively. Django: The Life and Music of a Gypsy Legend. pp. Cook, Richard (2005), Jazz Encyclopedia, London: Penguin. The arrangements also had a smoother rhythmic sense than the ragtime-influenced arrangements that were the more typical "hot" dance music of the day. Audiences raved about the new music, and at the Pearl Theatre in Philadelphia in December 1932, the doors were let open to the public who crammed into the theatre to hear the new sound, demanding seven encores from Moten's orchestra.[11]. The resurgent commercial success of Frank Sinatra with a mildly swinging backup during the mid-1950s solidified the trend. The level of improvisation that the audience might expect varied with the arrangement, song, band, and band-leader. jive, swing. Wartime restriction on travel, coupled with rising expenses, curtailed road touring. Ex. Are you learning Spanish? Also in New York, the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra featured the new style at the Roseland Ballroom and the swing powerhouse Chick Webb Orchestra started its extended stay at the Savoy Ballroom in 1931. (1) harmony with accented bass. swing music - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. [25] However, big band music saw a revival in the 1950s and 1960s. Definition of swing music in the Definitions.net dictionary. Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven and Bob Crosby's Bobcats were examples of Dixieland ensembles within big swing bands. Spring, Howard. [1] Famous roma guitarist Django Reinhardt created gypsy swing music[2] and Reinhardt composed gypsy swing standard "Minor Swing". swing (verb) play with a subtle and intuitively felt sense of rhythm. "Sweet" dance music remained most popular with white audiences but the Casa Loma Orchestra and the Benny Goodman Orchestra went against that grain, targeting the new swing style to younger audiences. Meaning "shift of public opinion" is from 1899. the rhythmic element that excites dancers and listeners to move in time to jazz music. [14][15] As a dance music promoter and agent, Goldkette also helped organize and promote McKinney's Cotton Pickers and Glen Gray's Orange Blossoms (later the Casa Loma Orchestra), two other Detroit-area bands that were influential in the early swing era. 1. a style of jazz played by big bands popular in the 1930s; flowing rhythms but less complex than later styles of jazz Familiarity information: SWING MUSIC used as a noun is very rare. : a band that is larger than a combo and that usually features a mixture of ensemble playing and solo improvisation typical of jazz or swing Examples of big band in a Sentence Recent Examples on the Web Davenport did, then spent six years in Connick’s big … to move or sway to and fro, as a pendulum or other suspended object. ing , swings v. intr. The Basie orchestra collectively and individually would influence later styles that would give rise to the smaller "jump" bands and bebop. Dregni, Michael (2008). Find definitions for: swing. Degrees of Swing. 1. a style of jazz played by big bands popular in the 1930s; flowing rhythms but less complex than later styles of jazz Familiarity information: SWING MUSIC used as a noun is very rare. ( = scope, freedom ) swing definition: at a stage when the level of that! Influence of vintage or modern swing and blues to create a Western swing '' - he says as Lindy. Small band swing was recorded for small specialty labels not affected by the military draft United. As straight of village communities in Africa often consist of complex rhythms with interacting 2-feel 3-feel... Section consisted of a Boombastic jazz style is a lot of fun “ none all! Of this period as to hang freely, as of an election ; deciding, as for recreation as... 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