Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Swing time
open-in-new
<p>In music, the term <i>swing</i> has two main uses. Colloquially, it is used to describe the propulsive quality or "feel" of a <a href="/facts/Rhythm/aHAByx9M">rhythm</a>, especially when the music prompts a visceral response such as foot-tapping or head-nodding (see <a href="/facts/Pulse_(music)/80ThGjbq">pulse</a>). This sense can also be called "<a href="/facts/Groove_(music)/Arh0e7WE">groove</a>". </p><p>The term swing feel, as well as <i>swung note(s)</i> and <i>swung rhythm</i>, is also used more specifically to refer to a technique (most commonly associated with <a href="/facts/Jazz/lmUzXGq8">jazz</a> but also used in other genres) that involves alternately lengthening and shortening the first and second consecutive notes in the two part <a href="/facts/Divisive_rhythm/smRRHXzF">pulse-divisions</a> in a <a href="/facts/Beat_(music)/xJrxPJfS">beat</a>. </p>