- published: 16 Nov 2007
- views: 29207
In jazz and related musical styles, the term swing is used to describe the sense of propulsive rhythmic "feel" or "groove" created by the musical interaction between the performers, especially when the music creates a "visceral response" such as feet-tapping or head-nodding (see pulse). The term "swing" is also used to refer to several other related jazz concepts including the swung note (a "lilting" rhythm of unequal notes) and the genre of swing, a jazz style which originated in the 1930s.
As swing jazz was dance music and coevolved together with swing dances such as the Lindy Hop, the term swing can be understood as music that makes the listener want to dance. Even though there is overlap between these concepts, music from any era of jazz or even from non-jazz music can be said to have "swing" (in the sense of having a strong rhythmic groove or feel).
While some jazz musicians have called the concept of "swing" a subjective and elusive notion, they acknowledge that the concept is well-understood by experienced jazz musicians at a practical, intuitive level. Jazz players refer to "swing" as the sense that a jam session or live performance is really "cooking" or "in the pocket."
Sonic Wind, honing in, on a tune that no one can hear
perfect pitch, simple glitch, promises it would never
appear
in the skies (disguised)
Change in direction where birds never fly nor roam
lie 'neath green valleys and wait for the call to come
Firetail bats, poised to attack
to set ablaze the rafters and the roofs
until the plan leaves the hand
burns the site down to the ground
through the ground
Craters are carving and wounds are left to weep
sink to the table filtering through the years
closing behind the nightmarish fears that run deep
down in green valleys wait for the call to come
when it's all over and the empty quarter
returns to the emptiness again
5000 miles over airplane graveyards
landmass oceans wide. over continents
a sonic wind honing in on a tune no one can hear
perfect pitch, simple glitch, promises...
over the skies - in disguise
Change in direction
a sonic wind is blowing
and the fire it is burning
down in green valleys where birds never fly nor roam
over airplane graveyards, wait for the call to come