13 Odd Time Tool Riffs

In this week's lesson, we look at 13 Odd Time Tool Riffs! No backing tracks were used in this video. All drums are programmed.
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[@captainmidnight7865]

Also known as: 13 Tool riffs

[@TragedysHalo]

Sometimes my Tool CD skips & Danny still keeps perfect time..

[@aafisher100]

Lmfao.. I know right?

[@breezeblock9145]

😂😂😂

[@nelsonmcfarlane8484]

My aenema cd used to skip at the end of third eye and it made this cool glitch rhythm and I thought that's how the song whent until I heard it on spotify

[@Syn202]

This is a really late comment... But this is genuinely the best comment I have ever read lol

[@TragedysHalo]

@@Syn202 Thanks, man! Appreciate that!

[@THETYMEKK12]

Tool makes even 4/4 sounds odd...

[@2und2sind4]

Yeah they're playing somthing like 3 + 3 + 3 + 4 over it.

[@Bindaruk]

You should check out Meshuggah then :P

[@lucario6539]

3/8 four times then 4/8

[@Estragon17]

Just make the bar long enough and it's all 4/4.

[@flagmuffin1221]

Listen to the beginning of Arithmophobia by Animals As Leaders, apparently it's in 4/4? I couldn't tell for the life of me.

[@handsome_man69]

I just find it amazing how the notes that Adam Jones plays are so basic. It*s only a handful of notes and a few power chords... but it all comes down to rhythm. The way he places those notes and the rhythmic sequences he creates are so complex, that it creates something entirely different and amazing. Only with a few notes and chords. I can`t believe it.

[@cameronsaunders1410]

Relative to Tool, I think the Pot is the oddest time signature up here

[@thebatman1482]

Cameron Saunders The drum beat is in 4 but the guitar goes 3/8 for four times then 4/8 in the last one. That's how i count that riff, even though the beat Is still in 4/4. That's reminiscent of meshuggah to me

[@radoslavkasparec9345]

Yeah, like 4/4, that's two same numbers! What the hell, is that even possible?

[@avedic]

Even though The Pot is simple by Tool standards....Adam still manages to make it sound all off-kilter and weird lol...

[@thebatman1482]

avedic I think that dude's mind thinks in a different way than the rest of us. In every sense: art, music, sculptures, movies...

[@Polyvalent]

The weirdest part is that they'll all be playing in different timings and it'll still sound good.

[@AxCYeR]

it feels so natural, when tool do it. i love it. it keeps groovin in my soul no matter how fucking often i listen to their stuff.

[@ryanduray1]

AxCYeR so true. I've been listening to them constantly for almost 20 years and their songs still fascinate me.

[@mgonzalez8880]

New album coming in as we admire work from 25 years ago

[@axeofcreation]

Crazy right!? Fresh lesson content though, woohoo!

[@plexus]

You can really hear the King Crimson influence all over Tool!! Especially in riffs like the opening to “Vicarious” and “7empest” ❤️❤️❤️ Two of my favorite bands.

[@jessewest2109]

The bass stuff is even crazier

[@axeofcreation]

Certainly can be!

[@nathanhopkins4791]

Jesse West Justin Chancellor is a GOD on bass.

[@jessewest2109]

Yeah. Takes some dedication to cover. Couple missteps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4qbe4hmgZtgn6M

[@boseifrit5480]

Rosetta Stoned bass bridge

[@diegoarana5862]

Jambi has the coolest riffs...

[@themcrib7920]

10k Days is my favourite Tool album for this reason - some of their best riffs packed in that album. But I love em all!

[@LucaFabiano]

Now let's play a game of finding the 4/4 in the new record

[@greatconfabulator]

I think there's a moment of silence in 'Invincible'

[@trentkraemer7109]

The begging half of Fear Inoculum is in 4/4, I think the guitar intro and most of pneuma is in 4/4, then on 7empest, the first section with bass is in 4/4.

[@masterofdisguise9564]

There’s a ton of polyrhythms, I’m sure there’s a 4/4 over a 7/7 somewhere in there.

[@demonguysayshi2666]

@@trentkraemer7109 Yeah there's a part of invincible at about 9 minutes in 4/4

[@trentkraemer7109]

DemonGuysaysHi to be fair the guitar and bass is playing 7/8 there. It’s a cool little polymeter

[@kaneskelly]

I learned most of these riffs by ear without knowing too much about time signatures. It's something I'm only recently being able to listen to and count after playing bass for 15 years. Listening to Tool really helped with that process as they use odd time so tastefully to never detract from the song. Saying that, "The Pot" does have a feeling of odd time even though it's in 4/4, to me anyway. Maybe it's the way that the different instruments interact and play against each other. Can't wait to see what the guys do next. Thanks for the vid, keep em coming.

[@axeofcreation]

That's the brilliant thing about gtr/bass, you really don't need anything besides your ear to learn how to play. As for The Pot, you are correct, every other pass of 4, the riff hides the downbeat briefly, which does exactly that!

[@thebatman1482]

Kane Skelly "They use time signatures without detracting anything from the song." That's Tool in a nutshell. Complex, but the song still flows smooth af.

[@Okaycoolka]

The Drumming in the Pot is often not 4/4, particular the accents. Maybe that's why is sounds like odd time.

[@thebatman1482]

Jason Romero In the end It comes down to 4/4 but there are some weird accents in there. It's easy to count as 4, but It's difficult to get the riff down in the beginning. There are some sections in 3 here and there

[@basslightyeah]

Kane Skelly One example of the feeling of odd time is in 46 and 2's first chorus when Keenan sings "My scabs again". It doesn't fit with the instruments yet it somehow does.

[@user-xw6uh3yp7g]

In other words; Tool’s whole discography

[@madtiboysen5397]

Adam Jones and the exploration of how many different ways you play in the same key.

[@owlcacone]

The first song I learned to play on Bass and guitar was schism, I learned a lot of TOOL's music when first starting guitar and because of that odd time signatures seemed completely normal to me.

[@LautaroGalanCid]

When you miss the 4/4 signature class, but you try real hard to make it up.

[@thelostworlds3]

When watching your video I was like “damn.. this dude has some good tone”, then Pushit happened!! That’s damn impressive!! What a strange looking Silverburst Paul you got there

[@midnightmystery544]

I LOVE that Vicarious riff! It's so ominous and it makes you think about it!

[@izeshmikurac]

"doesn't that feel good?" hahaha, to be honest, I love being swayed around with odd time sig. riffs by Tool. They make you move like Maynard and I love that. Brilliant video. The idea, the visuals, the sound.

[@RudyAyoub]

nothing like a 13/8 riff to get your head going

[@izeshmikurac]

Rudy Ayoub 😂😂

[@martaleszkiewicz5115]

@@RudyAyoub Hi bro! :)

[@dale8809]

Loved this video. The metronome and demo was super cool. Nice work

[@axeofcreation]

Thank you! Working on one for Mastodon.

[@ricardoroman1036]

Outstanding... I needed this very therapeutic counting time signatures of tool. Thanks :)

[@Seth6581]

Excellent video man,you nailed all of those riffs.Respect ✊

[@Ebb1337]

Great video man, well put together, clean editing :).

[@_c3a3m_88]

The thing that makes them such a great band is how perfectly they can play in these time signatures. Like these all sound like normal amazing riffs but it’s in the weirdest time signatures.

[@mav.-]

did you hear the news? tool announced on facebook they are now recording their new album in the studio

[@axeofcreation]

Mæverick Yes, very much looking forward to new material. New lessons!

[@DoodlezMusic]

They said the same thing in 2012, it got delayed year after year...

[@TheTechAndScience]

Ｎａｊｉｍｕ なじむ they are actually in the studio

[@SorooshMhs]

The pieces are starting to fit 😈

[@edwardburton6011]

Mæverick ya fuckin what now

[@drewharrito5705]

Nice to see tempos broken down like that thanks man. Super fun riffs to play.

[@liberty5565]

What's cool is playing other songs in these times. I've been messing around with Candlebox "For You" in different times. I was on my way home from the dr, and it came on the radio and since all I have been playing recently is Tool songs, I actually listened to the song. Got home and started playing around with it and it really works with an Adam Jones style. Can't say Candlebox was inspired by Tool, but this song certainly has the vibe. Yeah you have to add and subtract some notes and chords, but it's certainly there. What's even more funny is that I didn't care for the song until I heard it in my head as something different.

[@axeofcreation]

That's a great song! I certainly hear and know what you're talking about!

[@vikonja121]

it's interesting that you didn't mention the opening riff to intolerance, it's is in 29/16.. or 13/16 + 4/4 it's counted like 3 + 3 + 3 + 4 and 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 4 possibly the weirdest time signature tool has used

[@axeofcreation]

viktor knezevic Yes, that's a great riff too. I have a lesson on it (Tool Tuesday Guitar Playlist). I like to count it as 13/16 + 16/16 (4/4).

[@vikonja121]

Yeah, another one came to mind: the riff after the chorus in Undertow. Correct me if I'm wrong, it switches between 13/16 and 15/16?

[@taylorbelanger7982]

That counting pattern is cool, The All American Rejects did that too in the intro to Move Along...

[@nope110]

Thank god you said how it’s counted I think I’d go crazy trying to figure out how to play something in 29/16 if I hadn’t heard it

[@xyaeiounn]

That song is very strange, it sounds like big hair rock to an uneducated listener at first, then the roughness seeps through and you can hear how it sounds like a savage beating. It's my favourite Tool song but it's like having a pet octopus with 30 legs covered with glowing spots.

[@sharmashaun]

Thanks axeofcreation. Helps a beginner to perceive odd time.

[@Michael-dj6pd]

Thank you been trying to figure out that lateralus riff for a while now

[@brandonc3777]

Good to see you man!

[@user-co4xl7wx3q]

Wow, did not know the Pot was 4/4! It sure doesn't sound like it - damn, I have such an even deeper appreciation for these guys with little things like that.

[@soundslikescape]

Same! They just play something like 3+3+3+3+4, but in sum this is 16/16 = 4/4, just incredible!

[@Anonymous-rp4hn]

You sound incredible

[@IronMan-yg4qw]

how awesome! i love tool.

[@ramanmouchan8244]

This is so heartbreaking to hear these songs interrupting

[@codycrossman]

I was searching up rhythm for Invincible on the new album and came across this. Absolutely perfect video. Your tone is so spot on too. Think you'll tackle the new album?

[@firstnamelastname4752]

A couple of these are better to consider as using triplets. Like the Aenima rhythm could indeed be counted as 12/8 but it FEELS much more like 4/4 triplets. Like bang your head to it and you'll do it in 4/4.

[@jesseobrien756]

Props for playing Jambi correctly, without the hammer-offs 👍

[@lowbudgetbuilder4905]

He’s not playing it correctly. You pull off the top string very fret change. I’m not hearing his pull off

[@TheN8w]

What’s a hammer off? The pull through? That seems like a better term.

[@cheechunlimited]

The number of riffs being 13 is perfect

[@Beautyoutofruin]

Damn you even nailed the sound too

[@carlcassidy185]

even 4/4 sounds cray. gotta love tool

[@redsapples1]

Thanx! now I can to learn to play these parts 🤘🏽

[@pablopower6297]

That tone 🔥

[@RageTributeSanDiego]

Love this format & sick lesson, .. thank you Axe!!

[@anthonypayne2526]

I always hear The Grudge in 10 and Pushit in 12. It may be written as 5 and 6, but then they phrase two measures together throughout the songs. Danny definitely phrases his drums over 2 measures through much of Pushit

[@KneeCapHill]

This get's me so fucking pumped up about playing these tracks.

[@TheBlackKnight1o1]

Vicarious is my favorite Tool riff and bass line.

[@redgummibrain2644]

Badass homie!

[@axeofcreation]

Thank you

[@OwenCasarella]

Jambi and ÆNIMA sounded awesome!!

[@writteneulogy7904]

Very nice

[@stratometer]

That was epic

[@alexisalescio1562]

Amazing band I m waiting for yours new album

[@Publicwatcher32]

You should have included Rosetta Stoned in here, and I mean that bass part/solo kind of right after the repeated High lyrics. The bass just gets me every time in that part, i can't believe it's in 5/4 :D

[@axeofcreation]

So many amazing parts I could cover! That section particularly is just mean.

[@eatingtrees9077]

I always thought of Vicarious as more 10/8 than 5/4, since it has a distinct 3+3+2+2 subdivision, which doesn't actually have groupings of 5 in it.

[@flyver]

Am i missing something, or is your Schism counter missing 4?

[@ansonbryant6067]

It definitely is

[@RagnarRipper]

Aaah! Good to know I'm not crazy 😅

[@joshuawilby4496]

I second that notion

[@olivermirassou5922]

Your mix of sweat made it sound like it came from lateralus

[@Jamesadamiak]

Thanks for doing this. I just seen them in concert last night. I tried to count & it was just impossible lol

[@thierryvienna6144]

*Dat hybrid picking on Vicarious*

[@jamessteen8867]

I agree cameron

[@empirestatelvr3694]

That tone though! Great video!

[@axeofcreation]

Thank you!

[@blueblaze5160]

What about Rosetta Stoned? There was a bit near the end where the drums, guitar, and vocals were all in different time signatures

[@whackoization]

5/8 + 7/8 is all kinds of nice.

[@ezracoble1104]

How do you find these time signatures? Someone explain to me how you figure out if its 6/8 or 12/8 or whatever else it may be

[@akhmassimohamed7054]

What you call odd, i call genius

[@landonditter3828]

tool is one of the best bands

[@gredangeo]

Lateralus seems like a weird math game at first. 9/8 + 8/8 + 7/8, adds to an even 4/4 when you exchange the 8ths around. But there is definite Down Note being played that throws it all off, thus it it gets described as 9/8, 8/8 , 7/8, in the first place.

[@joenamredla]

I've honestly never thought of counting the end of The Pot in 4/4 before

[@anishkhadka9400]

joe namredla it is in 4/4 but its on polyrythm(3 over 4) Danney's double bass has been rotate every 3 meaaure.

[@daveythehand4964]

It's funny, bc the pot feels more odd than the odd time ones, haha

[@angthikkro]

Please make a video regarding all the time signatures

[@GeorgeJacobs]

Can you program me some drum track in odd meters? What will you charge?

[@adeebshakhawat]

Can you do a tutorial of Cold and Ugly? Maybe the main riffs only?

[@ELeviathan33]

I'm confused as to how "Sweat" is titled as just a 6/8, when the third measure appears to be 5/8. You've even highlighted that with the number graphic at the bottom. Or am I missing something?

[@axeofcreation]

Know, it's actually a really common technique to have the "turnaround" measure that's slightly different. I could've said its 6/8 + 5/8...but it's not, really.

[@ELeviathan33]

So wait, what is it really? lmao

[@eatingtrees9077]

@@axeofcreation How does not mean that though? This answer is confusing.

[@robvp71]

After years of Zappa there are no odd time signatures but they still sound cool :-)

[@funnyperson4027]

Why in the part for schism in the 7/8 do you not count beat 4?

[@SterlingSimmons22]

I could never figure out that damn Hooker Riff until this video, so thank you.

[@rifletwist]

Specs on that Kiesel Tele please.

[@Raunline]

What guitar are you playing? Great vid!

[@JJgeetarisst]

This was awesome! Think we could get a full video on Jambi??? 😁

[@axeofcreation]

I have one, it is a little old but its there.

[@zachariahbunton2472]

They all feel f**king good

[@keanuciupka2074]

Tbh. about feeling good with 4/4, Tool usually do Odd Signatures so well that they dont feel "Odd" in the sense of "strange"... Of course they can clearly be identified as such, they just sound so rounded off and fitting that they "feel" the same as 4/4 would

[@mr.batman8898]

Pushit and Right in Two♥️♥️

[@Tom-nt2bs]

Why does it skip beat 4 in Schism on the 7/8 part?

[@Carlos-Rodrigues]

I love The Pot

[@VeanZann]

The last one got me :D

[@drphalanges1520]

I've been playing Tool songs for over half my life now, on bass and guitar. They're my favorite band in the world. Trying to count them out just confuses me. It's easier for me to feel it than it is to keep track of the count because some of these look like they don't fit to me.

[@JohnDoe-if2uo]

Vicarious is the most normal sounding 5/4 riff

[@oisinmcphillips2090]

I'd say you can't wait for the new album and doing nothing but Tool transcriptions

[@finnschraer8596]

My favourite riff is Right in Two

[@ridleyroid9060]

0:40. I don't get it, how do you make the little "brrbm" sound there without tremolo palm mute picking it? How?

[@axeofcreation]

It's a slurred triplet, all hammer ons, 035

[@aidanrocha2043]

Nice odd number of songs

[@jejejexD123]

great video! but you missed one amazing song: Undertow, the bridge riff it's very odd-timish, so the ending.

[@axeofcreation]

There are many more examples I could've used. Undertow is a great one!

[@Chrono337]

Aren't the parts between verses in Schism in 6.5/8? Thought that would be worthy of your list

[@erikhanson626]

Both lateralus and ænema can also be counted in 3/4 time

[@rhysarcher4613]

Hey cool guitar but a tele with dualcoils? What model is it?

[@hanzo2238]

Still nobody defeats the dance of eternity

[@Centila]

>aenema is 12/8 Nice meme.

[@boseifrit5480]

ÆNEMA

[@EternitySoundDesign]

Your tone is sooo tasty mate

[@abusabsi]

Right in two is the worst..i love the others

[@beatgoddynasty5526]

The pot riff sounds like a polyrhythm

[@Vaeren222]

How did you achieve the guitar sound?