Playing In Odd Time - It's A Frame Of Mind

Recently, I have been asked to do a ton of recording with cats that write tunes in odd time. I do many sessions each month but lately I have been dealing with crazy time
signatures such as 11---7--5 and when we're in 4 it is displaced. So I found myself having to count bars at times. Personally, I do not like to count when I play. After you have played long enough you tend to internalize the time. You can feel it, and the pocket your laying down just kicks you in the ass. Its really a beautiful thing that all drummers should relate to.

When I have to count while playing I noticed I play different, more rigid and not as flowing. So it was a problem that I had to deal with and I found ways around counting that I never encountered before. I just cut a tune called "Disfunktional" on the new Ray Riendeau Cd. This tune alternates time signatures between 11--7--and 4 plus a few bars of 2 thrown in just for kicks. In certain sections I had to count, but in other sections I would for instance listen to his bass part. Then I would memorize how many times he played the lick and that would tell me when the time was going to change without counting. Its all about phrasing. Additionally, it is much easier. Say that the passage alternated between the above times signatures, 11--7--and 4. If the bass player played a lick 3 times in a bar of 11, instead of counting out 1234567891011 I would just count out 3 licks and I knew where the 1 was.

Another thing you can do is to memorize what groove your playing. Once you do this you can still put little changes into the groove but you always know where you are. You can also internalize the time by practicing or listening to the tune over and over again, like in you car. That's where I do most of my listening and pre production. It seems like
its the only place I can get any peace. Of course, in some instances you are just going to have to count.

Additionally, you can practice playing in odd time. Make sure you have some grooves worked out in different time signatures just incase it comes up. I can't tell you how many times a groove I already came up with in 7 worked on peoples tunes. Its a great feeling because they don't know you have been playing that groove before, they just think you came up with if it for their tune. Your not being dishonest, your being a professional.

Recently I had the pleasure of speaking to Dennis Chambers about this very problem. Dennis has become a friend over the years and I have never heard anyone throw time around like Dennis. So I asked him if he counted when he played in odd time. His reply was sometimes, but not very often. He looked at it like his is a musician and if the tune calls for it, the drumming can be very artistic and it was not his job to hold down (baby-sit) the one. At times this is very true. when I do play in odd time I actually try to disguise the one whenever possible. Practicing in odd time, with a click preferably is a great learning tool. It really helps to work on phrasing.

One thing you will love is after you play in odd time for a while it will start to feel just as natural as playing in 4-4. Remember its a frame of mind. Good Luck.