The Swing feel

The triplet shuffle. Jazz, blues, shuffle grooves.

▶ Play the Swing feel in the metronome
swung 8ths ≈ 120 BPM

What it is

Classic triplet swing: the off-beat "and" slides back to land on the triplet instead of dead-center. It’s the bounce in a ride cymbal, a shuffle blues, a swung hi-hat. Turn it on and a stiff line instantly starts to lope.

How to practise it

Practice your 8th-note lines against it so your off-beats lock to the triplet, not the straight grid. Try it at 100–140 BPM for a jazz ride, slower for a blues shuffle.

Heard on

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