Shuffle and Swing Rhythm and Notation

Lesson Goal: To understand the common practice of simplifying the notation for shuffle and swing music in order to make the score easier to read…

Table of Contents

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Prerequisites

Basic music reading skills… the LOVE of music… and the discipline to study and practice.

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Blues Shuffle Example

For example, listen to Frank play a snippet of blues shuffle music…

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Shuffle Rhythm Written Using 12/8 Time Signature

In order to capture the shuffle rhythm accurately using music notation, the score might look like this (using a 12/8 time signature)…

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Shuffle Rhythm Written Using 4/4 Time Signature

It also might be written like this (using a 4/4 time signature)…

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While a fairly accurate representation of the rhythm, the notation above looks quite busy and is indeed fussier than necessary. And so, it is common practice to simplify the notation by simply using “straight” eight notes as follows, with the understanding that the eighth notes in either arm need to be “shuffled”…

Notice how much easier it is to read this shorthand notation!

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But don’t forget: The notation looks “straight”, but its rendition might sound something like this…

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learn more… Blues Piano Lessons