Swing Era Jazz Fundamentals (1920s-1950s)
Historical Context
The Swing Era (roughly 1930-1945) represents jazz's golden age as popular dance music. It emerged from New Orleans jazz and ragtime, evolving through the big band format before transitioning to bebop in the mid-1940s.
Timeline
- 1920s: Early jazz, stride piano, New Orleans style
- 1930-1945: Swing Era / Big Band Era (peak: 1935-1946)
- 1940-1955: Bebop emergence and development
- Lindy Hop Dance Era: 1928-1950s (originated at Savoy Ballroom, Harlem)
Characteristics of Swing Music
Tempo & Feel
- Dance-oriented: Designed for partner dancing (Lindy Hop, Jitterbug)
- Typical Lindy Hop tempos: 110-190 BPM
- Slow: 110-130 BPM
- Medium (sweet spot): 130-160 BPM
- Fast: 160-190 BPM
- Balboa range: 140-270 BPM
- 4/4 time signature with emphasis on beats 2 and 4 (backbeat)
The "Swing Feel"
- Lilting, "swinging" eighth notes (not straight eighths)
- Syncopation and accents
- Walking bass line foundation
- Strong rhythmic pulse that "reaches out to dancers"
Key Musical Elements
| Element | Swing (1930-45) | Pre-Bebop Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Dance music | Listener engagement |
| Harmony | Simple, clear | Increasingly complex |
| Melody | Clear, lyrical, memorable | Horn-like lines |
| Rhythm | Solid beat, strong groove | Backbeat emphasis |
| Focus | Overall feel/groove | Individual expression |
Common Chord Progressions
I-VI-II-V ("Rhythm Changes")
Based on "I Got Rhythm" (1930) - THE defining swing progression
Key of C: Cmaj7 - Am7 - Dm7 - G7
Key of G: Gmaj7 - Em7 - Am7 - D7
Key of Bb: Bbmaj7 - Gm7 - Cm7 - F7
II-V-I Progression
The most fundamental jazz progression:
Major: Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7
Minor: Dm7b5 - G7 - Cm7
12-Bar Blues
| I7 | I7 | I7 | I7 |
| IV7 | IV7 | I7 | I7 |
| V7 | IV7 | I7 | V7 |
In C: C7 - F7 - C7 - G7
Common Turnarounds
- I - VI - II - V (standard)
- I - bIII7 - bVI7 - bII7 (chromatic)
- I - #Idim - II - V
Scales Used in Swing Era
Primary Scales
- Major Scale (Ionian) - For major chords
- Mixolydian - For dominant 7th chords
- Dorian - For minor 7th chords
- Blues Scale - For blues-influenced playing
- Pentatonic (Major & Minor) - Universal application
Scale-Chord Relationships
| Chord Type | Scale |
|---|---|
| Maj7 | Major (Ionian) |
| m7 | Dorian |
| 7 (dominant) | Mixolydian |
| m7b5 | Locrian |
| dim7 | Diminished (whole-half) |
Key Swing Era Artists (Reference Points)
Bandleaders
- Duke Ellington
- Count Basie
- Benny Goodman
- Artie Shaw
- Glenn Miller
- Jimmie Lunceford
Vocalists
- Ella Fitzgerald ("First Lady of Song")
- Billie Holiday ("Lady Day")
- Frank Sinatra
- Mildred Bailey
Instrumentalists
- Jimmy Blanton (revolutionized bass, 1939-41)
- Freddie Green (rhythm guitar, Count Basie)
- Lester Young (tenor sax)
- Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax)
- Art Tatum (piano)
Swing vs. Bebop Comparison
| Aspect | Swing (1930-45) | Bebop (1945-50) |
|---|---|---|
| Ensemble | Big Band | Small combo |
| Focus | Arrangement, ensemble | Soloist virtuosity |
| Tempo | Moderate, danceable | Often very fast |
| Harmony | Simple 7th chords | Complex alterations |
| Drums | Bass drum on beat | Ride cymbal, comping |
| Piano | Stride/pumping | Comping, shell voicings |
| Guitar | 4-to-the-bar rhythm | Single lines |
| Bass | Walking bassline | Walking, more melodic |