Swing covers a wide range, usually around 80 to 120 BPM, from slow ballads to up-tempo numbers, all with the same swung feel.

What makes a song swing?

A swung, triplet-based groove led by the ride cymbal, sparse kicks and snares, an offbeat pedal hat, and rich jazz harmony. The swing in the rhythm is the soul of it.

What key is swing in?

Swing uses rich jazz harmony in major and minor, with syncopated comping that creates interesting polyrhythms against the steady ride.

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Make Swing music

Swing is a classic jazz style with rich harmony, a swung groove and syncopated comping, usually around 80 to 120 BPM. A ride cymbal lays the foundation while sparse kicks, snares and an offbeat pedal hat lock in the feel.

Tempo: 80–120 BPM · Rich jazz harmony, major and minor

What defines swing?

Swing is the foundational sound of classic jazz, and it lives in its groove. The ride cymbal lays down the beat with a triplet swing, kicks and snares stay sparse and conversational, and the pedal hi-hat marks the offbeats. The harmony is rich and jazzy, and the comping is syncopated enough to spin polyrhythms against the steady ride.

That push between the steady ride and the syncopated comping is what swings. It’s music built on feel, where the rhythm section breathes together and the harmony stays sophisticated.

Signature elements of Swing

·A swung, triplet-based groove
·A ride cymbal laying the foundational beat
·Sparse kicks and snares with an offbeat pedal hi-hat
·Rich jazz harmony
·Syncopated comping and polyrhythms

How Songen makes Swing

Songen generates a swing loop with the lead, jazz chords, walking bass and swung drums as editable MIDI. Start there, then voice the chords, shape the comping, or settle the ride groove.

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Swing FAQ

What BPM is swing?: Swing covers a wide range, usually around 80 to 120 BPM, from slow ballads to up-tempo numbers, all with the same swung feel.
What makes a song swing?: A swung, triplet-based groove led by the ride cymbal, sparse kicks and snares, an offbeat pedal hat, and rich jazz harmony. The swing in the rhythm is the soul of it.
What key is swing in?: Swing uses rich jazz harmony in major and minor, with syncopated comping that creates interesting polyrhythms against the steady ride.