JL Claybourne

Magical Mixed Meter

by JL Claybourne

Playing in ¾ or 7/8 may seem difficult at first, but that’s only when compared to 4/4. The ability to play in odd time & mixed meters with brilliance is the stuff of heroes. Gavin Harrison, Simon Phillips, Neil Peart, Carter Beauford, Bill Bruford, Vinnie Colaiuta… these are just several master drummers who’ve recorded metric gems that have changed how we interpret music & drumming in large. They’ve challenged us, perplexed us & even stumbled & stunned us w/ their seemingly effortless application of mixed meter grooves, solos & general track mastery.

Here are some (higher profile) examples:

1.    “The Oneness of Two (in three)” – Joshua Redman w/ Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride & Brian Blade on drums. This is one of my favorite tunes in ¾. It has an eloquently stated chorus with a tinge of Latin jazz in the B section. Blade makes the entire track bounce all the while the listener grooves to the quarter notes. Listen out for the dotted quarter notes being served out by pianist Mehldau.

2.    Listen to Vinnie Colaiuta’s classic drum track on Sting’s “Seven Days”. His playing is so smooth that he makes the 5/8 groove almost feel like 4/4 (non-musicians might not even notice). Steve Wilkes introduced me to this joint at Berklee & studio drumming in general. There are at least two versions of this online - one a little more “jammy” than the other. Vinnie’s two bar phrase sits perfectly underneath the melody. Listen for his brilliant use of splash cymbals & his embellishments toward the end. The song fades out, leaving you wanting more[1]. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=920BnH5bRJk

3.    “The Sound of Muzak” - Gavin Harrison (of Porcupine Tree) Live @ Modern Drummer 2008. The choruses are in 4/4 but the verses are laid back & syncopated nicely in 7/8. The groove is killin’ & the accented hi-hat creates a beautiful two-bar phrase. Gavin has a tendency to over play, but when you’re that good[2] it’s gotta’ be next to impossible to hold back & not let your ideas flow out of you!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzFfNk4xGTE

4.    “Seven” - Carter Beauford w/ the Dave Matthews Band doing what they do… well! The song actually begins building in 4/4, then goes directly into 7/8 & contains a similar feel in 5/8. The band begins playing @ 0:48. As always, Carter is tasteful picking his spots, driving the band & rhymically supporting the horns. Listen out for his use of open hi-hats. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkraBlBjpSc 

5.    “Hell’s Kitchen” - Mike Portnoy w/ Dream Theater. I’m not a huge “prog rock” guy, but this relatively short recording (4:17) is masterful, inquisitive & very groovy. Rhythm Magazine’s Pete Riley wrote up a feature on it back in December of 2005. It opens up in 12/8 & soon alternates with 10/8. The “B” section jumps between 5/8, 9/8, 7/8 & 6/8 (in that order). Accents provide a steady rhythmic theme & allow the listener to air drum all the way to a climactic end. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xsXKqs3kiw

Beginning Advice: Start off simple by playing a waltz in three. Feel your way through a familiar form. Embrace the diversity & challenge yourself to continue playing even if you don’t want to. Once you feel comfortable with ¾, move on to a 6/8 (Afro-Cuban) Bembé or try a rock groove in 5/8. Pick something with a phrase “that resolves itself after every two bars…this technique helps to smooth over the obvious downbeat”[3]. Mixing meters can add suspense to a piece of music much like changing keys.

When you find yourself needing to hear new music, be selective yet breathe it in - regardless of meter. There are thousands of musicians you’ll listen to in your travels. Seek out the people who make your ears really jump. Find their names & see who else they play with. There is so much great music out there, by so many relatively unknown artists. Don’t just listen & move on, seek out their brilliance & let it enhance your life.

http://www.jlclaybourne.fourfour.com & http://www.twitter.com/jlclaybourne

Several of the excerpts contained in this blog are from my upcoming book, “Improve the Groove”