Here’s the first in a series on playing in 5/4. Since everything in music follows from listening (and this is the easiest type of post for me to write), we’ll start with some recorded examples:
5/4 Thing – Elvin Jones / Coalition – drums by Elvin Jones
I’ve got a partial transcription of this one lurking somewhere. I’ll try to dig it up and isolate something like a primary groove out of it:
Much more after the break:
5/4 Thing – George Coleman / Eastern Rebellion – drums by Billy Higgins
Another version of the same tune:
Like Someone in Love – Sam Yahel – drums by Brian Blade
Don Ellis – Indian Lady / Electric Bath – drums by Steve Bohannon
Ellis’ records are a major source for odd meter jazz:
Cuerpo y Alma (Body and Soul) – Esperanza Spaulding / Esperanza – drums by Otis Brown
(h/t to CKendrickMusic for these last two)
Long As You’re Living – Max Roach / Long As You’re Living – drums by Max Roach
Countdown – Dave Brubeck / Countdown – drums by Joe Morello
I guess I don’t need to put Take Five in here.
Do What You Like – Blind Faith / Blind Faith – drums by Ginger Baker
Stereolab – Percolator / Emperor Tomato Ketchup – drums by Andy Ramsay
Super-hip:
English Roundabout – XTC / English Settlement – drums by Terry Chambers
Ska in 5:
Decoupage – Stan Kenton / ’76 – drums by Gary Hobbs
Hobbs is a burning player living in Portland, and is one of the leading guys in the region.
Las Cuevas de Mario – Art Pepper / Smack Up – drums by Frank Butler
Let Me Be Your Mirror – Michel Legrand and Lena Horne / Lena & Michel – drums by Grady Tate
15 Step – Radiohead
/ In Rainbows – drums by Phil Selway
Everything’s Alright – Jesus Christ Superstar / OST – drums by Bruce Rowland
Corny but singable, which is good:
This is a god-send, I was just thinking I needed to do some serious listening in 5! Love that Elvin track!
It doesn't sound so difficult when you listen in quantity like this– sort of like an elongated waltz.
Great job on the Stone piece, by the way– I'll be linking to that in our next installment.