Is it just me???

mark beem · #1 05-13-2003, 09:49 AM

I find that I'm more comfortable playing in odd time signatures than say standard 4/4.....

Anyone else?? If so, why do you think that is??

Coypu · #2 05-13-2003, 09:52 AM

Depends completely on the song, some stuff in 4/4 can be very tricky rhythmically and some is not. This goes with any time signature. It completely depends on the situation.

PollyBass · #3 05-13-2003, 09:53 AM

well, I am like that NOW, after alot of odd time practice,,,,

Maybe becuase it's a simple "repeat" pattern,,,,like, if your playing something in five it could be like

ONE two THREE four FIVE ONE two THREE four FIVE ONE two etc etc....

Maybe some peoples brains are more "Comfortable" with this type of count then a 4/4 one???

Like a wrap around instead of an ending.

ConU · #4 05-13-2003, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ProgZilla
I find that I'm more comfortable playing in odd time signatures than say standard 4/4.....

Anyone else?? If so, why do you think that is??

So you don't gig much then?

godoze · #5 05-13-2003, 09:57 AM

"So you don't gig much then?"

funny...

In all seriousness though I find that some compound meters propel me and the music a little differently, in a way that I really enjoy.

I gig all the time and we play stuff in all kinds of meters. Of course we play plenty of straight time stuff as well.

mark beem · #6 05-13-2003, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ConU

So you don't gig much then?

LOL!!!! Yeah, actually I do.... Ive noticed over the years though that it's actually easier for me to write an interesting (to me) bass line in say 7/8 or similar meter.

Oddly enough, getting something interesting (again to me) written in a standard 4/4 metered song is like pulling teeth!!! Those situations I find myself actually more challenged.....

I wonder if the fact that when I started playing I always played to Rush, Kansas, Yes, and similar bands??

labrat · #7 05-13-2003, 10:01 AM

Ouch, ConU!
Tool seems to be pretty busy, so there is a demand of sorts for it.

I don't think I have trouble playing it, but it does play havok with my sight reading (which is why I need to work harder at it)

ConU · #8 05-13-2003, 10:11 AM

j/k...but I've done an awful lot of sidework in rock(metal),jazz,r&b,funk...I can rarely recall playing anything in other than 3(6)or 4...very few and far between.

dabshire · #9 05-13-2003, 12:57 PM

It's just you...

mark beem · #10 05-13-2003, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dabshire
It's just you...

LiquidMidnight · #11 05-13-2003, 05:41 PM

I find that playing in Odd time meters (such as 5/4) creates a sort of "Perpetual motion" type of feel with the music.

Also, odd time signatures can bring out lots of interesting melodic ideas since your have greater choice of accents of strong beats in the meter to use.

Benjamin Strange · #12 05-13-2003, 07:59 PM

It's not just you. Not only do I play better in odd time signatures, but I also play and sing better in odd time. I've got a song I wrote that the verse section is tapped in 13/8, and I sing on top of that. Yet for some reason I can't even play "Message in a Bottle" and sing at the same time without killing the groove.

And no, I don't gig alot. I can't dance, either.

mark beem · #13 05-14-2003, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by basstriaxis
It's not just you. Not only do I play better in odd time signatures, but I also play and sing better in odd time. I've got a song I wrote that the verse section is tapped in 13/8, and I sing on top of that. Yet for some reason I can't even play "Message in a Bottle" and sing at the same time without killing the groove.

And no, I don't gig alot. I can't dance, either.

LOL!!! I cant do the "Message in a Bottle" thing either!!!!

Hey checked out your website!! COOL STUFF!!!!

Cheers!!

Benjamin Strange · #14 05-14-2003, 02:24 PM

Thanks Progzilla! We have a new album that will be released on our website soon. Possibly free!

mark beem · #15 05-14-2003, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by basstriaxis
Thanks Progzilla! We have a new album that will be released on our website soon. Possibly free!

COOL!!!!

Please keep me posted. Id like to snag a copy!!

geshel · #16 05-14-2003, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ProgZilla

Hey checked out your website!! COOL STUFF!!!!

What he said! I dig it.

Benjamin Strange · #17 05-15-2003, 06:42 PM

It will be a download only release. Hope you've got a fast connection.

tuBass · #18 05-15-2003, 06:48 PM

I've played in every imaginable time signature, including 2/1, 3/16, 14/8 and 7/32. have playing key signatures ranging from 7 sharps, to the key of F flat, which has a B double flat in the key. I don't think anything shakes me anymore.
Of cource, those example were all on tuba, ralely do I ever play anything strange on bass, but I bet I could do it.

Mark

ConU · #19 05-15-2003, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tuBass
7/32.

Mark

Does'nt Creed have a song in 14/64?I digress...

BassDodger · #20 05-19-2003, 05:03 PM

Quote:

I wonder if the fact that when I started playing I always played to Rush, Kansas, Yes, and similar bands??

That just spoke VOLUMES of info to me...

The best guitar player I ever met auditioned for one of my bands many years ago. Man, this guy was a shredder- he had all the moves, technique, and experiance to boot. We were talking while everyone else was "out on a break" and I was fishing for information from him as to what I could learn so I could shred like that on the bass (I was very young). He was like "take a song, any song and play it faster and faster as you go". I thought this was cool, so I started playing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on the bass an sped it up gradually. He laughed and started to do the same thing: except, he could not FOR THE LIFE OF HIM play it in 4/4 time. I stopped him an asked that he try- he could not do it. He HIMSELF was amazed that he couldn't do it easily at 1st. After a few times trying, he gave up. We ended up hiring another player that could shell out more emotion with 1 note than this guy could in a song.

I think you *might* wanna try to get that 4/4 thing under control. It can't possibly hurt to bone up on it and it might prevent you from developing bad habits you can't break down the road. I started playing Iron Maiden thinking I was Steve Harris incarnate when I was just learning...the bad habits I had to suffer through to break took up ALOT of time. I'm not saying that it's what's going on with you, I'm just saying it can't hurt to look into it.

Hope this helps you out a bit...