Swing, Shuffle, Boogie Woogie,...

In music, the term swing has two main uses. Colloquially, it is used to describe the propulsive quality or feel of a rhythm, especially when the music prompts a visceral response such as foot-tapping or head-nodding. This sense can also be called groove. It is also known as shuffle.

And really, it's just Rhythm, a rhythmic pattern applied to various styles.

Swing is an interpretation of the traditional even eight notes involving alternately lengthening and shortening the first and second consecutive notes.

Even Quarter Notes

To discuss what type of notes can be sung. We need to cover what type of notes can not be swung.

Quarter notes can not be Swung.

Even Quarter Notes — Level I Modular Phonetic Rhythm

So basically you can not swing the downbeat.

Even Eight Notes

Each eight of a pair are given equal time (length).

Even Eight Notes — Level II Modular Phonetic Rhythm

Traditional Swing Eight Notes

Written

Played

Traditional Swing Eight Notes — Level III Modular Phonetic Rhythm

Hard Swing Eight Notes

Written

Played

Hard Swing Eight Notes — Level III Modular Phonetic Rhythm

Level II Modular Phonetic Rhythm Syllables

Level II Modular Phonetic Rhythm Syllables are where the beat is sub-divided in two and is the beat sub-division that can be swung.

Written

Level IIS Modular Phonetic Rhythmic Syllables

Played

Level IIS Modular Phonetic Rhythmic Syllables with Count

Summary

That is Swing, both Traditional Swing and Hard Swing. It all comes down the simplifying counting to learn the sound of and rhythmic figure/pattern.

It's possible to have other subdivision of 3 into 2. However the Traditional Swing and Hard Swing versions are the most common.

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