Rob's Bass Bulletin July 2016!
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Welcome to Rob's Bass Bulletin, the monthly-ish bass guitar newsletter.

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Hi Y'all, I've been thinking about odd meter....

Odd meter, also called odd time, is sometimes thought of as a complicated and artificial academic concept, but if it's done well it can sound as beautiful and natural as any music, with the bonus of being literally extraordinary.

An "odd" time signature is one whose first number is an odd number, so 3/4 is literally odd meter. Usually the concept is understood to mean more exotic time signatures such as 5/4, 7/8, 11/8, etc. So instead of being based on a rhythmic idea involving 2, 3, or 4 beats, odd meter songs are based on an odd number of beats - 5, or 7, or, ( in the case of a cool Vital Information track ), 'Seven and a Half'.

The idea has actually been around for quite a while. Classical music such as Mussorgsky's 'Pictures at an Exhibition' made use of it. In the jazz world, Dave Brubeck's 1959 album 'Time Out' included both 'Take Five' in 5/4, and 'Blue Rondo A La Turk' in 9/8

The rock world is full of odd time, especially heavy rock and prog. Here's UK's 'In The Dead Of Night' in 7/4, the Toadie's 'Possum Kingdom' alternating a measure of 7/4 and two measures of4/4, ( so maybe it's really 15/4? ), and Rush doing 'Limelight' in all kinds of time signatures ;^) ( There's an easy to hear 7/4 in the beginning ).

This month's 'Wish I Could Play Like That Link' features Billy Sheehan shredding away in 7/4 - 'Taj' Awesome! I wish I could play like that!


I have a few public gigs to let y'all know about:

I'm with Trio Verde at Woody's in Bee Cave July 13th from 6pm 'til 9pm, and at the Green Mesquite's Barton Springs & Lamar location July 16th from 7pm 'til 9:30pm, ( we sometimes do 'Take Five' and segue it into Pink Floyd's 'Money', in 7/4 ).

I'm with Shakedown at Cafe Mueller July 17th, ( probably noon 'til 3, but check with the club to be sure! ), and again at the Oasis July 28th. (Oasis dates are subject to change, so definitely check with the club before heading out there! ).

That's it for now, until next month, keep it rumbling!

Rob.
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