A Music Lesson from Uncle Carl

On Facebook, I posted this status:

Stephen T Wilson just enjoyed playing all kinds of songs as waltzes in 3/4 time.

Uncle Carl, an accomplished dummer, quipped, "Try them in 5/4!" (You who know Carl Glackin can totally hear him saying this.)

Something about Carl is, he'll challenge you to something that he, himself, can readily do. So, it must be possible. Not easy, but possible.

I tried, and this was my practice in reply: (6/8, then 4/4, then 5/4)



I was smug for a few hours. Until he wrote, "How about a swing feel in 7/8?"

This time, he offered advice: "Practice up on some swing stuff and you'll get the feel for the odd times. Listen to some Dave Brubeck!"

Here's Brubeck, 9/8 time with 2+2+2+3/3+3+3 phrasing:



I didn't make it to the piano to try. Not yet. Instead, I wondered off onto Carl's Youtube channel, and watched this at least twice. Enjoy: