Using pull-offs, open strings, and 7/4 time
Chet June 12th, 2007
Utilizing an odd time signature is a good way to add some variety into your playing. It can give that riff you’ve been working on a little extra uniqueness. The key to doing it effectively is to make it sound natural. No calculators or Star Wars action figures are necessary. Just a little thought and a little more practice
If an idea comes to you and it isn’t quite fitting into 4/4, or you notice that your foot (because you tap your foot when you practice) is in the air instead of hitting the ground at the end of the riff, then it’s probably in an odd time. Get to know how it works first and then count it out. The riff below is one example of how to use an odd time somewhat naturally. When you listen to it, you may or may not notice that it’s in 7/4.
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The descending notes on the 2nd string are optional. After the D on the 3rd fret I play a C on the 1st fret and then a C# on the second fret (to make an A major). I’m also using pull-offs wherever I can.
Try to come up with a few different ideas in odd time-signatures. You can start by adding or subtracting a beat from something you already know. If you do in fact want to get nerdy about it, try playing it against something that’s in 4/4 time. You’ll notice that it syncs up at the LCM of beats between the two different time signatures. 3/4 and 4/4 will sync up in 12 beats(LCM of 3 and 4) which is 3 measures of 4/4 and 4 measures of 3/4.
Chet,
Great lick you got there! i really like how you use the open strings and hammer/pull offs to keep it nice and smooth.
I was recently reading that Zappa liked to play 7/4 over 4/4 to spice hup his solos b/c over time it all works out math wise.
Playing in awkward time signatures is something i need to work on. thanks for the cool post!
Thanks Ross,
Yeah it’s fun to dabble with different times. I’ve been working on playing this riff in D as the IV chord for this pattern. I’ve tuned to drop D and am using an alternating bass pattern between the 6th and 4th string. What’s hard about doing that in 7/4 though is that the bass pattern switches every time through and I can’t use as many open strings. I’ll post it as soon as I get it sorted out. Nice site over at
The Guitar Resource. Want to link here?
Thanks for dropping in,
Chet