University Music Course: Analysis of Moten's Swing Discussion

This discussion post analyzes Bennie Moten's 'Moten's Swing,' focusing on its significance in jazz history. The student highlights the song's role as an early progenitor of Swing Jazz, noting its AABA format, chord progressions, and the influence of Count Basie. The analysis covers key elements such as the 12-bar chords, call-response patterns, walking bass lines, and the impact of the boogie-woogie style. The post explains why this track was selected, emphasizing its influence on subsequent jazz styles and its status as a landmark in American jazz. The student also provides a link to the song and includes references to relevant sources. This post reflects a detailed understanding of the musical elements that define 'Moten's Swing' and its place within the broader context of jazz music, showcasing its influence on the evolution of jazz and the Kansas City sound.

Running head: MOTEN’s SWING
Moten’s Swing
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1MOTEN’s SWING
Topic: Swing Big Band Music Discussion
Track -Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra - Moten's Swing
Reason for selecting this track:
Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra was one of the most prominent Jazz groups
dueing the 1930’s with the band leader Bennie Moten, the famous Jazz pianist creating a
unique jazz sound that came to represent the sound of Kansas. Moten Swing was composed
in 1932 setting up a landmark Jazz standard that moved towards a free form of Jazz
Orchestra. The orchestra also included Count Basie on piano who was also a very successful
musician which further helped the song to become the Kansas City anthem.12
The reason this song was selected because of its influence on Jazz music, making it
the early progenitors of Swing Jazz, incorporating four beat bars in an AABA format, 32
measures in length. The track uses the chord progression of the 1930 song by The
Temperance Seven ‘youre driving me crazy’. In addition the track shows the early hallmarks
of Swing Jazz music such as the usage of 12 bar chords, a call-response riff pattern, the
walking bass lines, comping drum style highlighting the hi-hat sound and an influence of
boogie-woogie style. Moreover, the minimalistic playing style of Count Basie and the ‘laid
back’ feel of the song and sudden changes in the keys made the track an important influence
on several Jazz musicians, setting up a new standard for music and stepping away from the
1 Russell, R. (1983). Jazz style in Kansas City and the southwest. Univ of California Press.
2 Driggs, F., & Haddix, C. (2005). Kansas City Jazz: From Ragtime to Bebop--A History.
Oxford University Press.

2MOTEN’s SWING
contemporary Jazz styles. These aspects make the song Moten’s Swing a landmark in
American Jazz history and thus the reason for its selection for this musical analysis3.
Link for the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=hr42hm6GvkQ&list=RDhr42hm6GvkQ&start_radio=1&t=48
3 youtube.com. (2018). Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra - Moten's Swing (Moten Swing) Victor 23384
1933. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=hr42hm6GvkQ&list=RDhr42hm6GvkQ&start_radio=1&t=48

3MOTEN’s SWING
References:
Driggs, F., & Haddix, C. (2005). Kansas City Jazz: From Ragtime to Bebop--A History.
Oxford University Press.
Russell, R. (1983). Jazz style in Kansas City and the southwest. Univ of California Press.
youtube.com. (2018). Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra - Moten's Swing (Moten Swing)
Victor 23384 1933. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=hr42hm6GvkQ&list=RDhr42hm6GvkQ&start_radio=1&t=48