Massive differing opinions between me and a bass player about a song we are getting down, it has a triplet feel *Dun da-da-da(triplet) , da da da, Dun da-da-da(triplet), da da da... you could easily count a 3/4 pattern over it, but the bassist insists that its something other than 3/4... i tried explain it on paper, but this didnt work either- I can't count anything but 3/4 over this, but the triplets are causing confusion, which is obviously frustrating for me.... Ideas? Input? Help?!

Different means to the same end. You could even phrase in 12/8. Play what feels correct instead of being so concerned about the time signature.








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Dr. Rodney McKay wrote:

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switch between 6/8 and 4/4 at will. this should confuse the bass player to no end. that usually helps. or maybe it doesnt but it will be fun.








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I don't think 4/4 fits at all, the pattern is all 3s.... and the beat being at roughly 90 BPM, 6/8 count doe's not work (unless you like tounge twisters) its far too fast... I think I originally may have caused this problem when we started working on this song, by explaining where the notes were placed by using 6/8 timing... it was easier at a much slower tempo to explain how the triplets were placed, but now were playing it at the correct tempo, the whole original 6/8 theory goes out the window. I should know this, and beable to convay it... Ive been reading drum theory since 1990, and Ive even had a stint of teaching drums, including teaching some theory... I can't believe an arguement formed over one of the most basic time signitures around. At the end of the dispute, it left me questioning my own extensive knowledge of drumming- thats a horrible feeling at this stage in my career.....
I still think this is 3/4... anyone else wanna give an opinion?

SGarrett wrote:

Different means to the same end. You could even phrase in 12/8. Play what feels correct instead of being so concerned about the time signature.

At the end of the discussion, we settled (in a way) by agreeing to disagree, and just go by feel, but Im still having trouble getting the triplets to flow smoothly, and its hard to lock in with her because of this, and it doesn't help when we disagree over something as simple at this very basic time signiture... I still want to find out if Im right saying the time signiture is actually 3/4. It was phrased in 6/8 at the beginning to explain, but that or anything greater (like 12/8 ) wouldn't fit because of the tempo, theres too many counts within the bar... correct? The middle triplet note would just be placed on the "2-and" within 3/4... yes? But if I count in using the 1-2-3-4 of the 3/4, she doesnt understand....

could you write the figure out, or if not maybe record it and put it up where I could listen? I'm having a hard time grasping what the figure is from the top post.

where did the rhythmic figure originate from? is it something you started playing, or are you trying to figure out how to structure around the bass player, or is it a cover that you're learning?








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Alan_ wrote:

could you write the figure out, or if not maybe record it and put it up where I could listen? I'm having a hard time grasping what the figure is from the top post.

where did the rhythmic figure originate from? is it something you started playing, or are you trying to figure out how to structure around the bass player, or is it a cover that you're learning?

We are both members of a band called Cycas Revoluta, and we are learning the exsisting set previously played by others....
I have a link-
- before you listen, be aware that the drumming over the triplets in the intro was not done correctly (it has a doubles feel- wrong, to me), thats not me drumming, and thats not Sandra playing bass - Clint, the last bassist, had a fantastic grasp of triplets, its proving hard to duplicate... the first 4 - 8 bars of the song will give you a very good idea of the groove/tempo and feel..... the pattern isn't played much, but we need to get it sorted.... the song is called "High School Party"....
.... listen out for the intro.... - "1-2 (and)- 3, 1- 2 -3, 1-2 (and) 3, 1-2-3, I was talking about earlier..

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Sounds like 3/4 with swung 16th notes, to me.

1--a - 2-&- - 3-&- | 1--a - 2-&- - 3-&- | etc.








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Dr. Rodney McKay wrote:

Well, I only know one thing and that is that flying darkness that eats energy can only be very, very bad.

http://www.MySpace.com/PageFive

In 3/4 each bar lasts for 3 beats and in 6/8 each bar last for 6 beats.








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drumur wrote:

In 3/4 each bar lasts for 3 beats and in 6/8 each bar last for 6 beats.

But the subdivision is different. In 3/4 you're counting 3 quarter note where you're couting six eighth notes in 6/8. Play eighth notes in 3/4, and you've got six of them. Going further, two measures of 6/8, like a typical afro-cuban groove, is equal to one measure of triplets in 4/4 or one measure of 12/8. From there it's just how you want to phrase something. For instance, if you're playing a waltz, a drop into 6/8 for a measure or two every so often kinda spices things up and doesn't change the tempo at all.








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Dr. Rodney McKay wrote:

Well, I only know one thing and that is that flying darkness that eats energy can only be very, very bad.

http://www.MySpace.com/PageFive

drumur wrote:

In 3/4 each bar lasts for 3 beats and in 6/8 each bar last for 6 beats.

yes, that is obvious Theres 3 in 3 and 6 in 6... but thanx!

SGarrett wrote:

Sounds like 3/4 with swung 16th notes, to me.

1--a - 2-&- - 3-&- | 1--a - 2-&- - 3-&- | etc.

I think you might have it here! In the past weeks Sandra had been talking about a 16th beat, I convinced her that would be a strange beat for the this song, far too fast and urgent.... but in this sence... you say, this IS infact a 3/4 beat- with a certain style of 16th being played on bass alone, note wise - so, in a sence, we are both right? But I am following that on the floor tom now, so I must be doing the same notes and not reliezing it... i feel a bit silly - but at least I was right saying the beat was 3/4!

Ingrid wrote:

SGarrett wrote:

Sounds like 3/4 with swung 16th notes, to me.

1--a - 2-&- - 3-&- | 1--a - 2-&- - 3-&- | etc.

I think you might have it here! In the past weeks Sandra had been talking about a 16th beat, I convinced her that would be a strange beat for the this song, far too fast and urgent.... but in this sence... you say, this IS infact a 3/4 beat- with a certain style of 16th being played on bass alone, note wise - so, in a sence, we are both right? But I am following that on the floor tom now, so I must be doing the same notes and not reliezing it... i feel a bit silly - but at least I was right saying the beat was 3/4!

Thanx GS

Check the other topic for my reply.

Homki890








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I agree with SG about playing what feels right.

Think outside the box, some great songs really bend the "rules". Listen to kashmir by Led Zeppelin.

The guitars are playing a 3/4 pattern and Bonham keeps a straight 4/4 over the top. The result is a 4 measure pattern on guitars that then fits exactly with a 3 measure pattern on drums. Then the guitars play in 4/4 for a bit and switch back and forth

Did they argue about time sigs etc? I don't know, but it's legendary track!

I like your stuff BTW.








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