Music Theory Tutorial - Understanding Swing vs Straight Rhythm

In this lesson we cover the difference between a swing rhythm and a straight rhythm.

A straight rhythm is played with quavers between the beats being played right in the middle of those two beats. Whereas a swung rhythm is played with the off-beat quaver slightly delayed - it’s as if you’re playing triplets, but skipping the middle note of the triplet.

Visual Representation of Straight Rhythm:

1 - - - & - - - 2 - - - & - - - 3 - - - & - - - 4 - - - & - - - etc

Visual Representation of Swung Rhythm:

1 - - - - & - - 2 - - - - & - - 3 - - - - & - - 4 - - - - & - - etc