When we listen to music, many of us click our fingers or stamp our feet
in time with the music. With most
popular music, (including most rock,
heavy metal,
dance, etc.), the beat is on the
one and
three. (Take a song and try it, counting the
beats as you click - you'll most likely find yourself clicking on the one and three. If you click on all four beats, slow down to half speed.)
(N.B. I am talking about music in
4/4 time).
When music is
swinging, you'll find yourself clicking on the
two and
four. That's how you know it's swinging (aside from feeling it in your guts.)
The two main genresof music that swings are :
Jazz and Reggae