When 16th Notes Get Drunk: Appreciating 16th Note Swing

What Makes 16th Note Swing Unique?

Many guitarists are familiar with the concept of swing when it comes to 8th notes, but fewer explore the fascinating world of 16th note swing. This rhythmic approach, found in funk, neo-soul, jazz, hip-hop, and fusion, creates grooves that feel deep, organic, and alive. Unlike rigidly straight 16th notes or clearly triplet-based 8th note swing, 16th note swing exists somewhere in between, adding a subtle push-and-pull quality to music.

Understanding and mastering this groove can transform your rhythm playing, allowing you to lock into deeper pocket feels, interact musically with drummers and bassists, and develop a more sophisticated rhythmic vocabulary. In this article, we’ll explore what makes 16th note swing tick, how to practice it, and how it differs from other rhythmic feels, including the legendary Dilla swing groove.

Understanding Straight vs. Swung 16ths

Straight 16th Notes

Straight 16th notes divide each beat into four equal parts:

• 1 e & a (evenly spaced)
• Found in genres like rock, pop, and classical
• Often associated with tight, metronomic precision

Example: Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” has a classic straight 16th note feel, with hi-hats and rhythm guitar staying locked into an even grid.

Swung 16th Notes

Swung 16ths disrupt the even spacing of straight 16ths, often delaying certain offbeats:

• The “e” and “a” land slightly later than in a straight feel.
• This creates a looser, funkier groove while maintaining forward momentum.
• Found in genres like funk, jazz fusion, neo-soul, and some R&B.

Example: Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” features a 16th note swing in the clavinet and rhythm section, giving it a bouncy, infectious groove.

How Does the Timing Change?

If straight 16ths fall at 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% of the beat, swung 16ths might be:

• Triplet-based swing: ~0%, 33%, 50%, 75% (approximating a triplet subdivision)
• Funk-style swing: More fluid, often closer to 40% and 80%, creating a laid-back yet tight groove.

The Dilla Swing

The Dilla Swing (named after legendary hip-hop producer J Dilla) is a microtiming approach that revolutionized rhythm in genres like hip-hop, neo-soul, and R&B. Unlike traditional swing, Dilla’s approach:

• Places some drum hits slightly late, usually the snare and hi-hats.
• Doesn’t follow a strict triplet grid but loosely floats between straight and swung.
• Creates a “drunken” or “lazy” feel—off-kilter but still grooving.

Example: Slum Village’s “Fall in Love” (produced by J Dilla) showcases this approach. Drums feel intentionally unquantized, pushing and pulling against the beat.

Applying Dilla Swing to Guitar

While Dilla’s groove was largely created with drum machines and samplers, guitarists can incorporate it by:

• Deliberately delaying some 16th note accents (especially “e” and “a”).
• Practicing with metronome and drum loops that have a loose swing.
• Listening to neo-soul artists like D’Angelo (“The Root”) to hear it in action.

Exercises for Guitarists

1. Listening & Singing the Swing

Before playing, train your ears and body:

• Listen to straight and swung 16th note grooves and tap along.
• Sing subdivisions:
  • Straight: “1 e & a” (even)
  • Swung: “1… e… &… a…” (delayed)
• Step or sway to the rhythm, emphasizing the swing feel.

Other songs to listen to are: J Dilla – “Won’t Do” (classic relaxed swing);  Erykah Badu – “Didn’t Cha Know” (Dilla-produced neo-soul with that unmistakable lazy groove); D’Angelo – “Really Love.”

2. Strumming Patterns

Start with a muted strumming exercise:

1. Set a metronome to 60-80 BPM.
2. Strum down-up-down-up evenly for straight 16ths.
3. Now, delay the “e” and “a” slightly, feeling the groove instead of counting mechanically.
4. Switch between straight and swung every two bars to internalize the difference.

3. Single-Note Picking

1. Pick one note and play 16th notes with alternate picking.
2. Start straight, then subtly drag the offbeats.
3. Experiment by placing notes slightly ahead or behind the beat.
4. Play along with funk and neo-soul backing tracks to feel the pocket.

4. Applying to Chordal Grooves

Play a simple funk rhythm (e.g., E9 chord) and:

• Keep a consistent right-hand motion.
• Vary between straight and swung accents.
• Use ghost notes to reinforce the groove.

How to Practice with a Band or Drum Machine

• Play with live drummers who use swung 16ths.
• Use drum machines or loops that feature funky or hip-hop-inspired 16th note grooves.
• Improvise over beats that mix both straight and swung rhythms.

When to Use Swung 16ths

Not all music benefits from a swung 16th feel. Consider the genre and context: ✅ Use swung 16ths in:

• Funk (e.g., James Brown, Prince)
• Neo-soul (e.g., D’Angelo, Erykah Badu)
• Jazz fusion (e.g., Herbie Hancock, Weather Report)
• Hip-hop (e.g., J Dilla, Questlove’s drumming)

❌ Avoid it in:

• Rock and metal (where tight, straight rhythms are preferred)
• Classical music (which follows strict rhythmic divisions)

Switching Between Feels

A great test of groove mastery is seamlessly transitioning between straight and swung 16ths. Try this:

• Play one bar straight, then one bar swung.
• Jam with a drummer, alternating feels to stay locked in.
• Record yourself and analyze your rhythmic placement.

Conclusion

Mastering 16th note swing isn’t just about technical execution—it’s about feel, groove, and interaction. Whether playing funk guitar, neo-soul lines, or experimenting with Dilla-inspired grooves, developing this rhythmic flexibility will make you a more expressive and locked-in musician.

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