On time-keeping

[jmastrodimos]

Hi folks!

I was recently asked to learn the song White Room (Cream) for an audition for a classic rock cover band. I just couldn't get the timing down. I finally came to the conclusion that Ginger Baker's timing is way off on this song. I am far from being a great drummer, but it's got me wondering.

I guess I'm looking for some of you to try playing to this song and give me some feedback. Is it me or Ginger.

John

[EyePea]

They just weren't as pedantic about robotic-like timekeeping in those days. Groove and Feel were far more important, (and still are IMO).

Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendirx Experience is another drummer that moved around the beat too.

What's important here is not so much you or your playing, but listening to the other musicians and you ALL getting a groove going with this song.

If you can play the song from start to finish without too many errors, the punters listening won't bat an eyelid. They'll be into it.

Great tune by the way.

My 2 cents worth.

[xsabers]

What problems are you having? Is it the transition between the 5/4 sections and the 4/4? Is it the numerous fills GB played? Listen to another version and see if that helps.

Here's a version that is pretty spot on.

http://youtu.be/LkXjLA9Y48w

[EddieV]

Gingers original version has a light element of swing in the 4/4 parts that gets heavier during the tom fills. It's a bit awkward when you mix it with the straight forwardness of the rhythms the guitar and bass are playing.

Ginger had a heavy jazz back ground...it really shows in some of the swinging tom work he did on this song in my opinion.

Great Tune. We have it in our set list and play it every night usually. I play it with the swing-ness like GB, but throw more crashes on the 4's much like the live version above.

[inthpktplayer]

It might be you. Just keep working at it. Really is not a difficult tune.

[rickthedrummer]

I'm with ITPP on this 1. It really isn't a hard song to play.

[slinglander]

FYI: I used to count the 10 count transition out loud for the rest of the band to hear,clicking the sticks together for the final 3.

[late8]

To try and follow beat for beat would be challenging but if you get the main groove, you'll do fine.

[jmastrodimos]

Thanks so much for your input! It is greatly appreciated! I agree that it is not that difficult a song to play, but it's a bear trying to practice along to the original recording!

John

[Ray on the Drums]

Just because a couple of these guys knew how to play "White Room by Cream"
long before FM radio doesn't make it any easier for you does it?

Ya may try an' crank it up an' air drum it out a few times! That could very well
be the song that started air drumming in the first place! Fun song! Good luck!

[N2Bluz]

I always found Ginger's rythum and style to be rather odd. I like it, but it's certainly different. Seems to me like a cross between Jazz and some type of traditional African drumming.

[kay-gee]

I always found "Sunshine of your Love" to have a turned around beat.

all the best...

[Dawgkikker]

I always found "Sunshine of your Love" to have a turned around beat.

all the best...

We do Sunshine, a little heavier and roll right into White Room. People love it.

[inthpktplayer]

Ya, air drumming. That will get you there.

[8beat]

White Room by Cream is a pretty good song. I forgot how interesting it is.

[inthpktplayer]

White Room by Cream is a pretty good song. I forgot how interesting it is.

Pretty cool how some things stand the test of time.

[N2Bluz]

Cream, as a band, was really pretty different and interesting. When I was about 5, my oldest brother had a huge album collection. I used to sit and listen to the entire Disraeli Gears album over and over. It was one of my favorites....along with various Frank Zappa. No wonder I turned out the way I did. Monte Python didn't help, either.

[Warren Wright]

When Cream did their Re-Union concert at Royal Albert Hall - Ginger is shown a lot and of course the audio is really good and this might be a better "version" for you to play. Just sayin ~~~


http://youtu.be/60Mskdg5_HA

[porkpieguy]

Thanks so much for your input! It is greatly appreciated! I agree that it is not that difficult a song to play, but it's a bear trying to practice along to the original recording!

John

That really makes a lot of sense John. At first I was thinking what the others were, that it's really not a difficult song. However, I can see that trying to practice along with the original recording could be tough. I guess my only suggestion would be to try to increase cut up the bass frequencies on the EQ while you are playing (either through a PA or headphones) and try to follow the bass guitar as opposed to the drums. This may help.

Best of luck!

[Ricardo]

The opening section (repeated later) is written in 5.
If you are not used to odd meter, that is the hardest part.

[jmastrodimos]

Thanks porkpieguy! You summed it up for me!