Counting 1/8 notes in swing?

Theory
1

If counting out loud (or in your head) a straight 1/8th note rythm is typically counted:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &, 1 & 2 & etc.

How are swing 1/8th notes counted verbally?

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According to Google, you still count them as “1-and, 2-and, 3-and, 4-and ,” but the notes on the beats are longer and the notes off the beats are shorter.

This video is interesting:

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Thanks for the link. I wasn’t able to find a definitive answer in a short search. Gotta load up the kayaks right now - but am looking forward to watching the video soon.

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Same verbal count, just a different feeling and placement.
(Said the Jazz Studies major, hoping to be very definitive on the subject he, supposedly, studied in college)

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In high school i spent a lot of time listening to (and playing) swing music and it’s very common in hip-hop too… i sometimes forget that it might not be easy for everyone :slight_smile:

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Question answered generally. 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

But not verbalized ‘straight’ (per the video) - the same way the swung 1/8th notes sound when played is how the speaker in the video verbalized them when counting…

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Rich explains it clearly here. If you haven’t subscribed to this guy. You should @SteveAG :wink:

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I do watch Rich Brown videos often “Friends and Neighbors”. I hadn’t seen this one before though. Thanks for the link.

I know the sound of swung notes - but was wondering about how they were counted verbally. This video helped with that.

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SteveAG: Look for an old concrete road with seams in your lane. Hear your tires running over them. Da-di-da di-da. etc. Faster song, drive faster. slower song go slower. Da is a bit longer held than di. 50s songs had it everywhere. It is a synchopated thing. That came from a Maestro at Pittsburgh Symphony in 1971 or 72. I was playing trumpet then. We had a classical part and the old guy was going mad at his orchestra. Try it in 64th notes, it gets hairy. I had trouble thinking triplets as a half note. Remembered Beethoven. Triplets in whole notes is another ball game.

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Thanks for that sound reference - driving on a roadway with regularly-spaced seams!