How to read and interpret common practice simplified shuffle / swing notation like a pro!
Table of Contents
Prerequisites
Basic music reading skills… the LOVE of music… and the discipline to study and practice.
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…
Blues Shuffle
Blues Shuffle Example
For example, listen to Frank play a snippet of blues shuffle music…
Shuffle Rhythm Written in 12/8 Time
In order to capture the shuffle rhythm accurately using music notation, the score might look like this (using a 12/8 time signature)…
Shuffle Rhythm Written in 4/4 Time
It also might be written like this (using a 4/4 time signature)…
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!
But don’t forget: The notation looks “straight”, but its rendition might sound something like this…
Blues Swing
The very same simplification applies for swing rhythm, too.
Would anyone like to read and hear an example?
learn more… Blues Piano Lessons
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