WE’RE LIVIN’ IN ODD TIMES, by Joel Rothman, contains a group of snare drum etudes each of which is in an odd time signature such as 5/4, 7/4, 5/8, 7/8, 5/16, 7/16 and many others. So what is an odd time signature? Simply put, an odd time signature is one in which the numerator of the time signature is an odd number such as 5, 7, 11, 13, etc. The most common time signatures in popular music are 2/2, 2/4, 4/4, 3/4, & 6/8. The time signature 3/4 is somewhat of an exception. Although the numerator is 3, an odd number, it’s still considered a common time signature because it’s so easy to feel – it’s also one of the most common time signatures in popular music. Having said that, in this book 3/4, as well as 3/8 and 3/16 time are considered odd time signatures because they play a significant role in all odd time signatures. Every odd time signature is comprised of an even and an odd group of rhythm, and a group of 3 is always involved. For instance, the rhythm in 5/4 time is phrased 3/4 + 2/4, or 2/4 + 3/4. In 7/4 time the rhythm is phrased 3/4 + 4/4 or 4/4 + 3/4.
The object of the etudes in this book is to show the possible rhythmic combinations that can arise in each of the odd time signatures. And it’s this that contributes to the uniqueness of each etude. For instance the first 5/4 etude is made up of most of the possible rhythmic patterns with eighth and quarter notes that might be encountered while reading. The next etude shows all the possible rhythmic combinations with triplets. That’s followed by an etude comprised of rhythmic patterns with sixteenth notes. Finally there’s an etude demonstrating rolls with various rhythms. By the time the reader completes this book he or she should be familiar with most of the time signatures they might encounter reading music in a band or classical orchestra..
eBook | 48 pages
