Here’s a nice introduction to rock in drumming in 7: Ralph Humphrey’s part from Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow, from Apostrophe by Frank Zappa. I go way back with this song, to 1974 when I was 7 and my brother brought the record home. I think this was the first thing I ever heard that it occurred to me to ask who it was who was playing it.
It’s mostly in 7/4, with a few measures of 7/8. The 7/4 is a half-time feel, phrased as 2+2+3 quarter notes, and the 7/8 is a 16th note rock feel, and breaks down to 2+2+3 eighth notes. The feel change on top of the meter change may be a little confusing, but the underlying pulse is consistent between meters. It’s tempting to try to explain it, but you can figure it out if you follow along with the recording a few times. Go ahead and count through the rests at the end— get a feel for how the 4/4 contrasts with the 7/4.
Audio after the break:
Nice! Been wondering about this one for a while. Thanks for posting this 🙂
hi, I think in the measures of 7/8, the eighth notes are not evenly spaced. the last 3 or 4 few seeme rushed. its almost as if the 8 beats can fit into the same space as the preceding 7 .
I'm not sure what you're hearing there– the time is actually even all the way through, if you listen to the drums– he doesn't rush, and he plays exactly the notes I've written.