The Music

[dave]

I'll start a new thread because I want to get off Tony's memorial thread.

Plus, we don't discuss THE MUSIC all that often in this section of the forum.


DIck Laurie mentioned in the Tony Modonia thread that early rock was 4/4 swing and it got me thinking. Whether 4/4 or 12/8, swing or shuffle, it is my favorite rhythm and it comes to me from the Blues tradition, form where early Rock came, of course. I'd say that for most of the fast or rock songs I play on my Yamaha keyboard I select a shuffle beat for accompaniment. In fact, I'll often play stuff (like New York State of Mind) that wasn't intended to be played with fast shuffle. (I think Mrs. Dave gets tired of listening to that beat.)

I guess there is a difference between swing and shuffle, but I can hardly notice it. Here's a video that's supposed to show it. I can hear the difference, but I can't pin down what's different. Maybe Dick can comment.

Swing versus Shufle, Drum example:




Just a couple of interesting videos I found:

3d swing time

[dave]

This is a really interesting video that covers the mix of shuffle and straight together. He uses Johnnie Be Good as an example.

[dave]

From my memory of playing the Chess labeled 45 rpm record over and over in the late 1950's, I'd say this is the originally released recording, with fidelity improved. As Keith Wyatt said, you can hear Chuck playing a straight rhythm and the band playing shuffle. Cool.

[dicklaurey]

Hi again, Dave-
My last post compares the initial, early ('49-'54) rock songs, as evidenced by any of the Bill Haley, 4/4 "swing" beat tunes, which were popular at the time, with the "straight" guitar style, popularized by Chuck Berry, which followed (at least where rock is concerned).
The shuffle beat had been popular, in blues and boogie, for many years before rock. Listen to "Shu's Blues", by Spyro Gyra, or, "Just A Gigolo", by Louie Prima, as more modern examples.
But, you guys all know this stuff!
Dave- Thanks for the interesting videos. Very informative.