odd meters

[mje]

There's a thread in another forum about learning to play in odd meters that reminded me of a story...

Seems this polka drummer got a call to play a jazz gig. He protested, saying he didn't know the music, the beats... the leader said nonsense, I've heard you play; you've got great chops. You'll pick it up right away.

So he took the gig, and at after the first set, the leader came over to tell him he was doing just fine. The drummer responded, Yeah, I think I got a handle on it- except for those odd-numbered meters. I just can't wrap my head around that 5/4 time.

Oh, said the leader, that's easy- and he sang:

"Life is just a f---ing bowl of cherries..."

[Steve Clark]

[mje]

And then there's the one about the drummer who couldn't get a gig. He was complaining to a booking agent who told him, listen, they're dying for drummers in Bahgdad. You could be working 365 nights a year there. The drummer thought about it... it was a long way from home, but he really needed the work... so he said sure, I'll do it.

He put most of his belongings in storage, sublet his apartment, and bought a ticket to Bahgdad. The agent gave him an address, and told him to go there and ask for Ahmed.

Twenty four hours later he arrived at the club straight from the airport, where he was met by Ahmed. "You're the new drummer?" asked Ahmed. "Great! Set up your drums over here. We go on in ten minutes."

The drummer protested. "But I just got here... I don't know the music, or the set list, or..."

"Don't worry about it," replied Ahmed. "Fake it. Just give me a solid backbeat on 7 and 13."

[Bobby King]

Q: How do they count off a tune in 7/4 time in Nashville?

A: "1,2,3,4,5,6,se-ven"