How to add swing eighths and sixteenths in Flat
Last updated September 16, 2026
Swing in Flat is a rhythm interpretation that changes how note pairs are played. Flat handles both sides of it: the engraving of the swing notation on the score, and the interpretation by its playback. Flat offers two swing types, swing eighths and swing sixteenths, applied to the complete score or to a section of it.
Which swing tools does Flat offer?
Flat has two swing tools, both in the Measure section of the Notation tab in the left panel. Swing eighths carries the standard jazz feel; swing sixteenths moves the swing unit down to the sixteenth-note layer. Each one engraves its own glyph and applies the matching playback timing.
| Feature | Where to find it | Icon |
|---|---|---|
| Swing Eighths | Notation tab, Measure section |  |
| Swing Sixteenths | Notation tab, Measure section |  |
How do I add swing to my score?
Select where you want the swing to apply, then open the Notation tab in the left panel and click the swing tool you want under Measure. You can enable swing on the complete score, or on a section of it by selecting the measure where you want to add it. Choose the swing type that fits your style.
| Swing type | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Swing Eighths | The standard jazz swing feel, where eighth note pairs are played with a long-short ratio. Use it for jazz, big band, blues, and swing-era repertoire. |
| Swing Sixteenths | The groove feel for funk, neo-soul, Latin, and half-time shuffle, where the swing unit lives in the sixteenth-note layer. Flat displays the correct 16th swing glyph and applies the right playback timing automatically. |
To remove swing, click again on the active tool, or select the swing notation in your score and use your delete key.
Frequently asked questions
Does swing change how Flat plays my score, or only how it looks?
Both. Flat engraves the swing notation on the score and its playback interprets it, so the note pairs you hear are played with the long-short ratio rather than evenly. You do not have to rewrite the rhythm in dotted-eighth-and-sixteenth pairs to get the feel.
Can I apply swing to only one section of a score?
Yes. Swing can be enabled on the complete score or on a section of it: select the measure where you want the swing to start, then click the swing tool. Selecting nothing applies it to the score as a whole.
Which swing setting should I use for a shuffle or a funk groove?
Swing sixteenths. It is the groove feel for funk, neo-soul, Latin, and half-time shuffle, where the swing unit lives in the sixteenth-note layer. Swing eighths is the standard jazz swing used for big band, blues, and swing-era repertoire.