Re: [Harp-L] groove vs swing

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Phil Lloyd wrote:
 
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The rhythm players set the groove, which can be as square as Lawrence Welk or as swinging as Benny Goodman.

In other words this gets into playing before or after the beat -- as opposed to on the beat.

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Actually, beat emphasis is just as important as playing on or after the beat.

For instance, I've heard both Louis Armstrong and Stuff Smith swing like hell, while playing nothing but quarter notes squarely on the beat.

How did they manage it?

Try this experiment:

Snap your fingers on the 2 and 4. No metronome, no foot tap. Just your fingers snapping.

Now sing a note on the 1 and the 3.

The notes you sing will now swing.

W~