Odd time drum beats

Drum grooves in 7/8, 5/4 and 7/4 so you can practise odd meters over a real beat. Press Play and the drums keep going until you stop them. Pick a tempo below or set your own anywhere from 50 to 220 BPM.

How a odd time drum beat works

Odd meters are easier when you count them as groups of two and three. The 7/8 groove is grouped 3+2+2, and the 5/4 jazz groove is grouped 3+2. Listen for the kick and snare marking the start of each group.

How to play along

Count the groups out loud: "one-two-three, one-two, one-two" for 7/8. Play a simple riff that starts on the first group, then try one that starts on the second. Once the grouping feels natural, stop counting and just follow the drums.

The odd time grooves on this page

7/8 Rock (3+2+2) and 7/8 Rock (2+2+3) are the two common ways to group seven. 5/4 Rock is a straight backbeat groove in five, and 7/4 Rock stretches a rock bar by three beats, like Pink Floyd's Money. 5/4 Jazz (3+2) swings in five, the Take Five way.

Common practice tempos

Start with 90, 100, 110, 120 and 140 BPM. Each tempo has its own page with the right groove already selected, so you can bookmark the one you are working on.