4th Beat Boogie Lick

Important!
Since 'swing time' is messy to write out, use the convention of writing straight time,


but playing in swing time. Thus 2 quavers are always played 'swung'.

This: Sounds like this: Or this:


     

      3     
      3       
1 2 & 3 4 &


Firstly, get used to playing a chord on the '&' of beat 4. This is the same as a 'pushed' beat.
Be able to play it either as a quaver, or to hold it over to the next crotchet also, say.

      
    


 
        
      


    
1 2 & 3 4 &

       
   
  
        
      
1 2 & 3 4 &


Now continue through a whole 12-bar sequence

               




    
       
             
        
  

2


             
 

    
 

       
             
  
     


         
                
     
           
         


Next, add a chord on beat 4. Some chord types here are more effective....e.g. diminished chords.

                    

               
       
          
    


          
          
              
        
 
          



        
             
                
       
      
        
 3


This is a variant on the same idea, but incorporating a triplet of 'crushed notes' just before the beat.

  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
            
      
     
   
 


   

 
    
 
    
 
 
            
    
              
     


      
 
   
 
  
 

 
      
     
    
    
     
     
 
The notes of beat 4 must be played exactly in time with the left hand.....
which means fitting-in the 'triplet' just before beat 4.


To make this easier to accomplish, you can play the triplet on the off-beat of beat 3.
Remember....the rhythm is 'swing'.....the off-beat is short.
Here is what it looks like, written as it sounds, so in 12/8:


   
3

  
   
     
     
1 2 & 3 & 4 &

These exercises sound pretty good even played as they are......but notice how the last 2 bars sound a bit repetitive?
This can be improved by adding a suitable turnaround within the 12-bar sequence....which is customary with this


style of boogie. Here is one possibility, for the last 4 bars of the 12:

  
 
 
        
    
    
        
             
 