Expert: David Lynch - 8/8/2006

Question
Hi David,
I was wondering if it was at all possible for you to explain to me the similarities and differences between swing and Bebop? I would really appreciate it!
Kind regards,

Graeme

Answer
Yes, Graeme, Bebop came after Swing.

    Swing was in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Big bands, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman. Listen to the music.  Dance was more basic, simple, black and white, good or bad, like film noir of the  late 40s: Square. solid, conventional, earnest, sincere, hard-working, plain, pay your dues and collect your benefits. Dudley Do-right, simpler times, square jawed, the missionary position. simple, fun.

    BB was in the 50s, 60s.- done to faster tempo music like Charlie Parker,  and My old friend Dizzy Gillespe. (I used to be his honorary body guard- since he had no enemies- I never had to fight for him.)  Listen to these musicians for the  BB flavor.   
   Be-bop reflects tlhe complex themes and values of the nuclear cold war of the period. shades of gray, nuances, balancing of hot and cold war, war and peace, good and evil, a frenzied fast paced dance reflecting the faster pace of increasingly urban- crowded life in the late 50s and 60s.  Undecided, unclear, hurry up,  unsure, active, busy,  creative, brilliant, but unsure of the final outcome, competitive,   but not committed. doubtful, anxious. filled with fear.
      Does it seem to you that Be-bop might have more in common with life now than swing? Is Be-Bop like hip- hop? Punk? Grunge? After BB  came the Beatles, Elvis, Rock. Aids.

    In Dance styles, Swing would have single, double and triple rythms  but,   let's  just look at single swing.   
    It would  start with the weight going down on 1 with man's left foot then his rt on 3 and rock step on 5 and 6. Man's left shoulder is dipping slightly  over his left foot on 1. and sliding rt foot to left on 2, etc.

    In Be Bop, the man's left would have a toe or ball of foot go down on 1 and then the full wt on 2 with only part of rt foot weight on  #3 count and rt and the rest on wt on  on 4 on 5 and 6 the mans rt toe stays on the floor on 5 and full foot heel and toe on 6.
   You could call it toe- heel, toe, heel, ball-toe, and rt foot.
   The knees are popping out on be-bop. the upper body is counter -moving to maintain balance in a twisted contorted be-bop.  For example, in be-Bop, man's rt arm & elbow-is behind his shoulder on 1 or toe down or  Be count. then vice-versa. \Also, on 1 count, or be count his left shoulder is up slightly and his rt shoulder is  down slightly.


    Similarities include the 6 count framework, the similar rock steps, turns. the evolving steps.
    
    Elvis, for example had one foot in swing/rock and the other in bb.
     Note his dancing in his rock videos (B movies)
like jailhouse rock.

I suggest swing/rock, Be-bop and  blues  all merged or  morphed into todays music and dance.
    Does any of this make sense to you?