Loops/midi in 7/8 and 5/4

[axs1]

I have a couple of songs in 7/8 and 5/4 time signatures. Not a problem with a band and a good drummer, but my band has taken an "extended break" and I´m currently looking for a more electronica/programmed type of feel to these songs. Anyone know where to find a broad selection of loops, preferably midi, in "odd" time signatures?
Cheers!

[Beermaster]

it would have to be quite an exceptional drummer ( and band ) to be able to hold a 7/8 groove or a 5/4 ! but I digress.

If you're a Stylus RMX user these time sigs are not a problem because you can use any 4/4 loop in your library and convert using the timing module - it even gives you multiple variations to choose from.

[Morechips]

Originally Posted by Beermaster

it would have to be quite an exceptional drummer ( and band ) to be able to hold a 7/8 groove or a 5/4 ! but I digress.

If you are ever in need of one PM me!


To the OP - surely if you can play/sing your parts in odd time sigs then you can program some drum parts in?! Alternatively PM me, maybe i can help.

[axs1]

Originally Posted by Beermaster

it would have to be quite an exceptional drummer ( and band ) to be able to hold a 7/8 groove or a 5/4 ! but I digress.

If you're a Stylus RMX user these time sigs are not a problem because you can use any 4/4 loop in your library and convert using the timing module - it even gives you multiple variations to choose from.

Well, I guess we must have been exceptional
Its not really so hard, though, 1-2-3-1-2-3-4 and 1-2-1-2-3 / 1-2-3-1-2. Also a digression, but I've discovered 5/4 can be a refreshing alternative to 3/4.

I don't have Stylus any more, but do have a Spark with loads of premade grooves. I can switch the time signature on it, but it gives strange results.

[axs1]

Originally Posted by Morechips

If you are ever in need of one PM me!


To the OP - surely if you can play/sing your parts in odd time sigs then you can program some drum parts in?! Alternatively PM me, maybe i can help.

Well, I'm not a drummer and find it painstaking enough to program beats in 4/4. I may take you up on your "offer", but I need to create an in-time draft first.

[RyanC]

Just print the loops to clips in 4 and cut it how you want the grouping. Like if you want 7/8 as 12 12 12 1 just cut off the last 8th. Or if you want 12 12 123 keep 3 beats and paste an extra upbeat in the last one.

@beer, seriously? I've heard some pretty crappy bands hold 7/8 and 5/4 grooves at least as well as they hold 4/4 groves.

For some odd meter inspiration check out Pat Metheney



That song alternates 12/8 10/8. The hard part is clapping all the upbeats. We played that in high school big band, lol.

Edit: Here is a newer version...better recording, although the hair isn't nearly as entertaining.

[axs1]

Will check that out tonight, thanks!

[jackaleks]

^^wow, serious flatpicking skills

[The Elf]

Originally Posted by Beermaster

it would have to be quite an exceptional drummer ( and band ) to be able to hold a 7/8 groove or a 5/4 ! but I digress.

On such skills was the entirety of prog rock based and on which I still base much of my own music. Of course that was long before it became uncool to be able to play an instrument properly!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU2bOYiBX28

Actually, it's easier to play in 7/8 than 4/4 once you have the pulse running through your head!

[asynchro_nous]

For an ubersweet 7/8 groove check out Money by Pink Floyd.

[gremlin moon]

Another vote for Stylus -- it will convert any REX file to a multitude of meters which can then be put to groove templates and the hits randomzed.

Mainly 7/4 here:

[Morechips]

Originally Posted by axs1

Well, I'm not a drummer and find it painstaking enough to program beats in 4/4. I may take you up on your "offer", but I need to create an in-time draft first.

Well might be fun! so let me know. In the meantime if you are interested in checking out one of the unsung masters of 'odd time' do a search on youtube for any of Jaki Liebezeit and Burnt Friedman tracks, Jaki also employed some odd time stuff with Can but mostly in that band it was 4/4 3/4 6/8. One of the beautifull things about the sound of Liebezeit's playing is it sounds so 'natural', it doesn't sound like common time sigs chopped up or shortened like in so much of the jazz and prog rock of the 70's, or even brubecks stuff.

Also, Ivo Papasov and his wedding dance band!!!!!!!!! 17/16, 11/16, 11/8.......

Someone mentioned 'Money' by PF....yeah! lovely swung 7/4

I have gone way out of gearslut territory now haven't I!! better stop or might get moderated

[firby]

When you first get into odd time playing/composing etc. a good idea is to take a simple meter that is just a little bit ornery. Start off with 6/8. Make your rhythm heavy on the one and just a one bar phrase to start off with. Then build your skills from there.

If you play odd meters with a big 'one' for a while you can relax and then start to form longer and more complex phrases. Playing in odd meters will hip you to polyrhythms inside of long phrases. This is often like quarter note triplets inside a long phrase that only land every other bar.

aack. I hope that I have not made this harder than it is. Start off with 6/8 and work your way to more complex forms like 5/8, 5/4, 7/4 etc.

Oh and one of the essential listening for people grokking playing in odd meters is of course Dave Brubeck -- Take Five. That album is all odd meters if I remember correctly. Plus it still swings pretty good.

Peace and take it slow, you have to allow your body to catch up with it.

Regards