The word ‘jazz’ can be associatedwith Swing music and big bands by any person who is an avid listener of Westernmusic. The 1930s was the era when pop music came to the limelight and you can easily hold jazz or Swing music highly credible for it. As you would like to know a lot more about the salient features of Swing music, this blog will give you a deep insight into it. Listening to the big band radio stations will also give you a taste of Swing musicand help you understand the distinct features of this music genre.
● Association with dance music
It is popularly said, ‘Swing musicis dance music’ and it goes totally undebatable. Having said that, Swing musicwas simple but was accompanied by a strong beat that would compel you to shake a leg and was replete with clear melodies that made your body swing to the tunes. Owing to its popularity as a part of pop culture, Swing music came to be commercialized as well.
● Historical influences
When the US was shaken by the Great Depression and the world was rattled by the Second World War, Swing music cameout of the blues to soothe the wrought nerves and provide entertainment to the distressed people. Between 1929 and 1945, Swing music acted as a spokesperson for unemployment and misery that the Depression and WWII had created. You caneasily find traces of the two historical events in the lyrics of the songs written during this period.
● The presence of Big Bands
Swing music was performed by Big Bands where large and elaborate orchestras played the music tracks together.Trumpets, saxophones, trombones, guitar, drums, bass and piano formed a major part of the orchestra. This collectionof big band and Swing music can still be heard on the top Swing music radio channels.
● A greater emphasis on musical arrangements
The Swing music songs were keptextremely interesting and engaging by some special musical arrangements made bythe big band leaders. Some of these are:
- Tutti - all horns were made to play a melodic strain
- Shout chorus - a climactic section that played tutti at the end of thearrangement
- Riffs - a repetitive short melodic rhythmic pattern
- Solos - a single person improvised along with a harmonicbackground
● The 2 different styles of Swing music
- Sweet Swing: Glenn Miller and his likes madelesser improvisations with a little bit slower and restrained music that wasperfect for a delightful white dinner party for the white upper class. It wassoft and smooth.
- Hot Swing: People like Duke Ellington struck amore daring and experimental strain of Swing that had longer improvisations andrough blue feelings. It was quite bold.
Conclusion:
These are the most common featuresthat comprised Swing music. The chills and thrills of the Swing music songs canbe still felt when you listen to the collectionof big band and Swing music on your favorite Swing music radio channel. So,if you want to listen to the songs and find out whether they belong to this genre, you need to keep these simple features in mind and listen to the songs on the radio with a calm mind.
