Swing Music Audrey Reich Katherine Glover Katie Runion Vanessa
Vertin Slide 2 The History of Swing Music In the mid-1930s Swing
music came alive. During the 1930s Americans suffered significantly
from the Great Depression. In the 1940s swing continued in its
popularity especially as families longed for their loved ones who
were fighting across the seas during World War II. Slide 3 The
Swing Era The optimistic feel of swing music lifted the spirits of
the American people during the hard times. Swing music quickly
became our national dance and big bands were playing this style of
music. This period in time was thought of as the swing era. Slide 4
Slide 5 Famous Swing Leaders Famous orchestra leaders such as Duke
Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman led some of the great
bands of the era. Swing music was played on radios from coast to
coast & heard in the movies. Slide 6 Swing is the basic rhythm
of jazz. Swing is best categorized for its unique upbeat rhythm
& the sense of motion it portrays. It is also considered to be
a specific type of early jazz. The rhythm & beat, exclusive to
swing music, makes swing listeners want to dance. What is Swing
Music? Slide 7 Band leader, clarinetist Started at age 10 In the
mid 30s, Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in
America Benny Goodman King of Swing Slide 8 16 -18 piece big band
Awarded The Grammy 17 times After Basies death in 1984 they are now
a ghost band Count Basie Orchestra Slide 9 From New Orleans Played
trumpet, bandleader & vocalist Oldest artist to have a
Billboard #1 song (age 63) Louis Armstrong Slide 10 Composer,
pianist, and big band leader Awarded the Grammy Lifetime
Achievement Award in 1966 Duke Ellington Slide 11 Modern Swing
Slide 12 Swing Music in the Classroom Play swing music in the
background while students work. Show students some of the lindy hop
swing dance steps. After viewing the clip let the children dance
freely to swing music, encourage them to incorporate swing moves.
Relate swing music to children through modern examples. Slide 13
Students Explore Swing Music Allow students to dress like swing
dancers would have dressed. Students can make up their own swing
dance. Ask the children how they felt when they listened and danced
to the swing music. As a class, compare how they felt and how past
children probably felt when they listened to swing music.
