I present this just as a curiosity, because I’ve never encountered this meter anywhere before (maybe in a percussion ensemble piece?). But you can see how we usually deal with the odd #/16 meters; often they will be broken down into a regular meter + some 16ths. The solo section of Frank Zappa’s Keep It Greasey, you’ll remember, is in 19/16, interpreted as 4/4+3/16. Today’s example, Spanish Moss from Billy Cobham’s 1974 album Crosswinds, is in 17/16, played as 3/4+5/16 (with the 5/16 further broken down to 2+3/16).
Here’s the main groove, plus a couple of more embellished versions that occur frequently throughout the piece:
Get Spectrum by Billy Cobham | get mp3
I am happy to help you with any of the materials on the site, and with anything else drumming related— contact me for private lessons, online world wide, or in person in Portland, Oregon. All levels of players, and all people, are welcome.
Email Todd | Call or text +1(503)380-9259 | Chat on WhatsApp
Nice one, been checking this tune out. Such a hard feel to play over. Thanks for the work