So we finally have a list of songs Tracy wants to play. I got the list last night and we play tonight. Man am I in trouble. I have not even heard some of these songs, and I’ve never played along with ANY of them. That’s the penalty I pay for avoiding “popular” music. Rage Against The Machine, Sublime, Local H… I’ve got a lot of learning to do in the next 4 hours.
I started with the songs I do know, sort of get them out of the way. The only tricky part so far was that the drum piece for Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People” is written entirely in triplets. No big deal there.
I’ve heard “Money” by Pink Floyd over a thousand times, but never while I was behind the drum set. Simple enough though… After the intro, I keep losing the beat. That never happens, how did I do that? Start over. Same thing, after a few measures, I’m off beat again. I listen to the track carefully without playing along. He’s playing in 7/8 timing and then switching to 4/4 and then back to 7/8. Why? Never question Pink Floyd, just relax and accept it. I’ve never noticed it before. I just tapped along, more interested in the lyrics or watching the munchkins dance than in the drums. They seemed so simple before. Now, I see so much more. It just goes to prove that you can listen and still not hear.
So a seemingly simple list of songs reveal a wide variety of playing styles some more difficult than supposed. From triplets, to 7/8-4/4 change-ups, to Primus, this guy picked out some good stuff. Although, after I gain a little ground in this “band” thing, I intend to get a few tracks in too. He’s tested me, now lets see him keep up with Slayer, Morbid Angel or My Chemical Romance…
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