Josh Freese, better known in recent months for joining Foo Fighters, is one of the most prolific and versatile drummers. He has appeared on over 400 records; in case you missed it, I extensively discussed Josh Freese’s career in a previous article. Today, we explore the drum part of “Judith” by A Perfect Circle from the album Mer de Noms (2000), one of Freese’s most iconic recordings. His drumming on the song is irresistible and top-notch, with a great reference to John Bonham’s drum sound, resulting in one of the most memorable rock drum parts ever recorded. This article examines the song’s main grooves and fills, introducing the complete drum transcription.
Drum Grooves and Fills
Listening to the song, we can count it in three different time signatures: 3/4, 6/4, or 6/8. For ease of writing and a better readable notation, I transcribed the drum part in 6/8, but if you feel more comfortable you can count it differently.
The groove is a classic 6/8 rock beat, with the snare backbeat on the fourth beat. The bass drum pattern and the ghost notes are the elements that define the drum beat. The same groove is repeated with variations in the verse (hi-hat closed in 16th-note) and the chorus section, moving to the ride cymbal.
At the end of the pre-chorus section, Josh Freese plays a majestic fill. Considering the bpm of 165 (expressed in eight notes or 55 in dotted quarter notes), that’s a tricky drum lick to save in your library. It gives the song a massive double-time feel, introducing the chorus. From a construction point it can be divided into two parts:
- The first half relies on dotted 8th notes filled in between with fast and loud 32nd notes on the snare.
- The second consists of a single idea, one 16th-note and two 32nd-note, repeated three times from the snare to the rack toms and floor tom.
Here’s another remarkable drum fill that proves the ability of Freese to play beyond the beat. It occurs at the end of the second pre-chorus. That’s an advanced idea with similarities to the previous one. In the same way, the first half relies on dotted 8th notes, but this time, the 32nd notes roll is orchestrated on the first rack tom followed by snare ghost notes (sticking can be alternated or based on single paradiddle RLRR). The second half consists of a fast single stroke roll from the first rack tom to the second-floor tom.
In the last chorus before the outro, we have an open section: not properly a drum solo but a drum improvised section. The drum part is groove-oriented, keeping the cymbal pattern with the right hand and playing captivating drum fills. There are tons of ideas to copy and get inspired by.
Full Drum Transcription
For those who want to study and understand in depth Josh Freese’s extraordinary drumming, including every drum fill, the complete drum transcription for “Judith” is now available for purchase. Elevate your drumming!
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