I need suggestions for finding slow tempo, odd time signature songs for beginners. This can include 3/4, 5/4 (if that's a common thing) and *sigh* I suppose 7/8. I would prefer songs that don't switch between signatures. Thanks!
I need suggestions for finding slow tempo, odd time signature songs for beginners. This can include 3/4, 5/4 (if that's a common thing) and *sigh* I suppose 7/8. I would prefer songs that don't switch between signatures. Thanks!
"Money" by Pink Floyd is a good one to start with. It's in 7/4, has a clear bass line to follow/hum along to, and it has a good cue at the end of each measure (there is a crash on 7 and 1 during most of the first part of the song). The only time signature change is that it goes into 4/4 during the solo and back to 7 afterward. They also telegraph the time signature changes well in advance.
Try "Money" by Pink Floyd. It is an easy tempo so you won't get lost in the speed of it and it is a very smooth song to transition to. Plus, it has a killer groove too
In addition to the suggestions above, you could also employ some instructional materials such as Tommy Igoe's Groove Essentials Vol. 2, which has a whole section on odd time grooves.
Moreover, learning 7/8 is simple. Take any straightforward 8th note rock groove in 4 and simply chop the last note off the end. Start with the Money Beat and work your way to more complex stuff.
Granted it is a bit obscure, but the aptly named "Lucky Seven" by Chris Squire from his album Fish Out of Water finds Bill Bruford laying down a nice, easy pattern in seven that's fun to play along with and good practice.
The first two pieces I learned in 5/4 were Take 5 and Everything's Alright.
Both use the same dotted 8th and 16th note shuffle cymbal pattern with snare on the two of the first grouping of three and 1 on the second grouping of 2.
Pretty much a natural feel because of the easy melodies associated the songs.
I learned to hum them first and the rest just came along easy.
Yeah. Take Five isn't really an issue. If they like the tune you can stay on quarters.
I'll use anything in 5 or 7 they can relate to musically. The Sting stuff works fine, so does the Groove Essentials tunes and many young school bands play the Mission Impossible Theme these days.
It isn't really necessary to complicate things. Just keep the pulse, BD on 1 and snare in the right spot. Learn simple fills as in any other style before you start messing with and complicating the groove to much.
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