Grateful Dead Music Forum

The Dead seem to be masters of non-standard timing, ie. not 2/4, 3/4, or 4/4 timing. I was born and raised on 4/4 blues so these timings are very difficult for me to feel relaxed while jamming to them. Counting to 7 or 9 while sustaining a note just feels wierd. Any sugestions?

For me, it's about the grove.

I "feel" seven as
> > > > > >
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 +

For eleven it's just like they accent it in the song
> > > >>
123 123 123 12

And if I can feel that groove, or pulse in me i'm right. To me, feeling odd time signatures came most easily when I internalised my time and "felt it" not played it.

Hazza wrote:For me, it's about the grove.

I "feel" seven as
> > > > > >
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 +

For eleven it's just like they accent it in the song
> > > >>
123 123 123 12

And if I can feel that groove, or pulse in me i'm right. To me, feeling odd time signatures came most easily when I internalised my time and "felt it" not played it.

Beautifully put! (and welcome aboard!)

Truth be told I think as a guitarist it can be much easier if the bassist and drummer are locked in step. But to further compliment Hazza, if I can feel or am "in" the groove then 7 or 9 or 11 feels as natural as 4.

Hazza wrote:For me, it's about the grove.

I "feel" seven as
> > > > > >
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 +

For eleven it's just like they accent it in the song
> > > >>
123 123 123 12

"Whippin' Post" by the Allman Bros shows the 11/8 groove in exactly this way.

for 7/8 I tend to count 1-2-3-4-1-2-3

It all depends on where you grow up. Some parts of the world have folk songs typically in 5/4 or 5/8.

I agree with the all about the groove sentiment, but I can also count the different times. My twin brothers a drummer, so I learned timing as he did.
Whipping post was a real pain in the ass for him.

If you really want to have some fun, practice 7/4 timing, I'll piss you right off, untill you get it right that is.