Rhythm Section 101:

2-Feel vs. 4-Feel

In many jazz songs, the rhythm section is playing a number of different types of swing feels. Two particular swing feels that are important to learn are the “2-feel” and the “4-feel”.

The 2-feel is characterized by a half-note bass line. Commonly, the drum set will play on the hi-hat with a matching half-note bass drum pattern.

Listen to the 2-feel at the beginning of Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing”. Clap your hands or snap your fingers on beats 2 and 4 and observe the feeling of this rhythm.

By contrast, the 4-feel is characterized by a walking or quarter note bass line. The drum set typically “feathers” or softly plays the bass drum on each quarter note, and will either continue on the hi-hat or play the ride cymbal.

Listen to the 4-feel of Miles Davis’ “Freddie Freeloader”, from his iconic album, “Kind of Blue” (Wynton Kelly, piano; Paul Chambers, bass; Jimmy Cobb, drums). Compared to the 2-feel, the 4-feel creates more forward motion with its consistent quarter note emphasis.

Want to send this video to your students? Use this link: https://youtu.be/4NmBol0-zhI