Editing Swing Notation

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Editing Swing Notation

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A swing rhythm, when literally written out as two unequal members of a triplet, looks like this:

(1) SwingPairWrittenOut

In a jazz or "big band" music style, swing rhythms are typically not written out using triplets, such as in the above example. Instead, to simplify the notation, the swing rhythm is notated as though the notes are evenly played, with equal durations. The above as-performed notes are usually notated like this:

(2) SwingPair

You can prepare a "swing score" that will be heard with a triplet swing, but displayed with paired notes of equal durations.

If you are importing a MIDI file for a jazz or "big band" piece with a swing rhythm, then choose the "Swing Rhythm" transcription option. Musician will automatically notate the swing rhythms as illustrated in the above second example.

 

If you have a .not file or a .mid file that has "straight" notation but you would like to make it "swing", you can follow these steps.

 

1. Click-drag across the notes to select them Swing_straight_selected

         

2. In the Note palette click the "Convert to swing" button to convert the straight notes to "swing" durations.

                         Swing_converted_to_swing

Now if you play the song file, these notes will properly sound with "swing" rhythms.

 

3. Now click "Format / Retranscribe".  You will be re-transcribing the swing notes to look straight, but sound like "swing".

 

4.  Select which Staff/Staves you want to retranscribe.        

 

5.  Select "Swing" for the Style then click "Ok".

 

Swing_retranscribe_dialog

 

6.  The notation will now "read" as the cleaner swing-style (looks like "straight" but musicians understand to "swing" it) and will sound like "swing" when you play it back.

Swing_straight_notes