Swing Music

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Swing Music
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Swing Music

• Swing Music was developed in the 1920s by Benny
  Goodman.
• Swing music was far more organised than jazz that
  had come before.
• Swing music, like Ragtime started in dance halls.
• Music became popular with white people White
  Mans Jazz.
• Swing was the pop music of its day and was in the
  charts up until the 1970s.

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Swing Music

• Music is highly organised.
• The parts for musicians are written out.
• While there is improvisation, it is more
  controlled.
• There are many Question and Answer sections.
• Swing music used a large ensemble of musicians
  known as a Big Band.

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Melody Instruments

• The saxophones are often the main melody
  instrument.
• The brass often support the saxophones and Answer
  the melody of the saxophones.
• There is usually only one solo instrument at a
  time.
• There is often a singer in Swing music, Ella
  Fitzgerald and Bill Halliday are amongst the most
  famous of singers from Swing music.

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Instruments of a Big Band

• Melody Section
• Saxophones 2 Alto saxophones, 2 tenors and one
  baritone
• Brass 4 Trumpets and 3 Trombones
• Rhythm Section
• Double Bass, Drums and Piano.

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Benny Goodman

• Responsible for developing Swing style.
• Was referred to as the Band Leader
• The Band Leader organised the Swing orchestra,
  wrote the parts and led the performance.
• The Band leader would be the most important
  instrument player of the Swing band and take many
  of the solos.
• Listen to Two for Tea

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Glenn Miller

• Most famous of all Swing Musicians.
• Wrote pieces such as In the Mood and American
  Patrol.
• Glenn Miller died in a plane crash at the height
  of his popularity.
• Listen to In The Mood

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Writing

• Swing Music developed in the 1920s.
• Music was written for new dances such as the
  Jitterbug.
• Band usually named after the band leader.
• There are between 12-16 musicians in a Swing Band
• Swing Band usually has a melody section including
  7 brass instruments, 5 saxophones and rhythm
  section including Double Bass, drums, piano
  and/or guitar.