Rhythm Units

The following Rhythm Units are similar to those used in the Universal Unit System (TM). The difference is that in the Universal System (TM), their units are enclosed in rectangles. To keep from having to use slow downloading graphics, brackets are used here to enclose Rhythm Units instead of rectangles.  For further clarification see Elements of Music as related to dance

Rhythm Unit Definition

• 2 beats of music in 4/4 time
• 3 beats of music in 3/4 time

Rhythm Unit Notation

• X or x indicates a weight change (step)
• / indicates a beat of music with no weight change, but something else may be occurring
• O or o indicates a weight change has been made to a foot that is going to skip, hop or bounce.

Count

Numbers indicate a beat of music. The other notations, such as "&" or "a," occur between beats of music. There are two basic different types of counts used for swing dance annotation - one is a basic count and the other is a more sophisticated count.

Basic Count

The basic version uses the "&" count and the "beat count." Examples are [1 & 2] or [3 & 4] and others. It could also be represented as [&1 &2] or [&3 &4] and others. The "&" count is sometimes not used if there is no weight change on that count.

Sophisticated Count

This sophisticated count is really more applicable for most dancing. Its usage yields a much better swing feeling. It uses the "&" and "a" and "beat count." Examples are [&a1 &a2] or [&a3 &a4] plus others.

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Even Rhythm Units

Even Rhythm Units contain zero or an even number of weight changes (steps) such as 0,2,4, .... Also, under certain circumstances, the different types of Event Rhythm Units can be exchanged with each other yielding a different approach to a dance.  In the following definitions, counts "1" and "2" are used, but the count could be anything else such as "3" and "4" or other counts.

Blank Rhythm Unit

This Rhythm Unit contains zero weight changes.

Count:   1    2
      [  /    /]
        

Double Rhythm Unit

This Rhythm Unit contains 2 weight changes (steps). Each weight change occurrs on a beat of music.

Count:   1   2
      [  X   X]
        

Syncopated Double Rhythm Unit

This is only one possible example of a syncopated Double Rhythm Unit. The first weight change occurs between the two beats of music. The second weight change occurs on the second beat of music.

Count:  & 1  2
      [ / X  X]
        

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Odd Rhythm Units

Odd Rhythm Units contain an odd number of weight changes (steps) such as 1,3, ... Also, under certain circumstances, the different types of Odd Rhythm Units can be exchanged with each other yielding a different approach to a dance.  In the following definitions, counts "1" and "2" are used, but the count could be anything else such as "3" and "4" or other counts.

Single Rhythm Unit

This Rhythm Unit contains one weight change which occurs on count "1" of the Rhythm Unit.

Count:   1   2
      [  X   /]
        

Delayed Single Rhythm Unit

This Rhythm Unit contains 1 weight change which occurs on count "2" of the Rhythm Unit.

Count:    1   2
       [  /   X ]
        

Triple Rhythm Unit

This Rhythm Unit contains 3 weight changes. A weight change occurrs on each of the following counts: [1 & 2]

Count:   1  &  2  
      [  X  X  X ]
        

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