Percussion Instruments Treatment in the Swing Style: Performing Aspects
Percussion Instruments Treatment in the Swing Style: Performing Aspects

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this article is to analyze the contribution of the most representative drummers who formed methods of performing percussion instruments in the practice of American big-bands of the swing era.The author highlights the innovations introduced by the most representative percussionists from the swing era – Chick Webb, Gene Krupa, Sonny Greer, Louie Bellson, Baddy Rich. In order to determine the basic features of swing style, the most important characteristics of the swing are revealed, the changes appeared in big band treatment, specific interpretation tools like section playing or riffs technique are presented. Author also studies the influence of most prominent drummers of swing era upon the repertoire of the most famous big-bands of the time: Duke Ellington Famous orchestra, Count Basie Orchestra, Fletcher Henderson Orchestra as well as Chick Webb Orchestra, and Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra. Some observations regarding the difference of traditional jazz and classic jazz performing tools are formulated. In conclusion the innovative percussion methods and tools of swing era are generalized.

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