Times Like These
by Foo Fighters
Difficulty Profile
Skill LevelOverall
IntermediateRhythm
IntermediateLead
IntermediateBass
IntermediateWhy "Times Like These" Works Harmonically
Beyond standard guitar tabs and chord charts, discover the exact music theory mechanics, modal interchange, and voice leading choices that give Foo Fighters's classic its unforgettable emotional power.
Open D Pedal-Point Ostinato in 7/4 Asymmetric Meter Bursting into Straight 4/4 Mixolydian Joy
Dave Grohl achieved modern rock perfection by taking an irregular 7/4 meter and making it feel effortless and uplifting. By anchoring the intro riff around an unrelenting open 4th-string D pedal tone, moving high dyads create harmonic shimmer without losing rhythmic pulse. When the song transitions into straight 4/4, borrowed Mixolydian chords (Am7 and C) transform personal resilience into an arena-filling communal anthem.
Harmonic Progression (Roman Numerals)
I5 - Isus2 (7/4 Intro) | I - v7 - ♭VII - ii - I (4/4 Verse & Chorus)Step-by-Step Movement
- •D5 / Dsus2 (7/4 Riff): Open D string pedal ostinato with high shifting dyads (F#, E, G).
- •Am7 (v7): Borrowed Mixolydian fifth chord introducing bittersweet introspective vulnerability.
- •C (♭VII): Classic rock Mixolydian chord delivering hopeful, forward-leaning momentum.
- •Em to D (ii - I): Stepwise diatonic cadence providing warm, satisfying emotional closure.
Voice Leading & Counterpoint
- ›The 7/4 meter flows as 4 beats of main theme + 3 beats of melodic answer, creating perpetual forward motion.
- ›The open top strings ring across Am7 and C, blurring chord boundaries into a unified acoustic/electric sheen.
- ›The transition into straight 4/4 feels like taking a deep breath of relief after the tension of odd time.
Fretboard Mechanics
Keep your fretting index finger arched so the open D string rings freely on eighth-note downstrokes. Dig into full open chord strumming when the chorus explodes.
Odd time signatures do not have to feel jarring or technical; anchor them with a simple open-string drone to create unforgettable melodic hooks.
Musical Analysis
🎹 Key & Tonality
⏱️ Song Structure
💡 Understanding D major:
D major has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The Uplifting modern rock anthem famous for its unusual 7/4 time signature intro riff, open D-string pedal tones, borrowed Mixolydian chords, and explosive dynamic chorus explosion into straight 4/4 rock mode gives it a stable, resolved feeling. This key works well for anthemic rock songs and creates a powerful, confident mood.
Luminous tonal foundation for the opening pedal riff and anthemic chorus resolution
Supplies the borrowed flat-seventh (C natural) in the Am7 and C major verse/chorus chords
Framework for Dave Grohl and Chris Shiflett's ringing open-string counter-melodies
The harmonic character shaping D major
The harmonic character shaping D major
Understand major chord construction and voicings
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in D major
D Major (Ionian)
Notes: D - E - F# - G - A - B - C#
Application: Luminous tonal foundation for the opening pedal riff and anthemic chorus resolution
Interactive Fretboard Map
Chord Progressions & Movement
Main Progression
Anthemic chord sequence incorporating borrowed Mixolydian chords and ringing open strings.
💡 Theory Insight:
These borrowed chords from the parallel minor key add darker, more dramatic colors to the progression. This modal interchange gives rock and metal its signature swagger.
Chord Shapes In This Section:
D
Am7
C
Em
Harmonic Functions & Roles:
- D (I)Luminous, ringing major tonic centered around the open D string pedal point
- Am7 (v7)Borrowed natural minor dominant providing bittersweet, introspective emotion
- C (♭VII)Mixolydian subtonic delivering classic rock forward momentum and melodic optimism
- Em (ii)Minor supertonic offering smooth stepwise voice leading before resolving to the tonic
Key Techniques
7/4 Asymmetric Meter & Open D Pedal Point
IntermediateExecuting Dave Grohl's famous opening riff in 7/4 time (divided 4 beats + 3 beats) while maintaining a continuous ringing open 4th-string pedal tone with alternating high notes
Uses chords:
Progression:
D - Am7 - C - Em - D
Technique Tips:
- •Use a medium pick (0.73mm) to balance strumming flexibility on the chords with percussive riff attack
- •Let the open top strings ring across the Am7 and C chord shapes to create the signature Foo Fighters wall of sound
- •When shifting from 7/4 to 4/4, keep your internal clock steady—the tempo (145 BPM) does not change, only the bar length
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of D major. Switch instrument sounds (Acoustic Steel, Nylon, Clean Electric, Piano) and practice at your own tempo.
7/4 Asymmetric Intro Riff
7/4 Intro Pedal Riff
Dave Grohl's celebrated 7/4 intro riff, one of the most famous odd-meter guitar hooks in 2000s rock
- •D
- •F#
- •E
Anthemic Chorus Strumming
Anthemic Chorus Chords
High-energy chorus groove in straight 4/4 featuring ringing open-string chord extensions
- •D
- •F#
- •A
Equipment & Tone Setup
🎸 Guitar
Recommended Model:
Pickup Type:
Burstbucker / Gibson Classic 57 humbuckers in bridge position for thick, articulate post-grunge drive
⚡ Amplifier & Settings
Recommended Amp:
Tone Stack Dial-In:
Gain: 7.0
Treble: 7.0
Middle: 6.5
Bass: 6.0
Presence: 7.0
🎛️ Effects Pedals
Overdrive / Distortion:
ProCo Rat / Boss DS-1 distortion boosting high-headroom valve amp crunch
Reverb / Delay:
Subtle studio room reverb giving drums and guitars a cohesive live feel
Modulation / Other:
MXR Phase 90 on intro riff layers for subtle movement
Recommended Learning Path
Open Chords & 4/4 Chorus
⏱️ 1-2 weeks
- •Learn open D, Am7, C, and Em chord voicings
- •Practice standard 4/4 strumming with energetic down-up motions at 145 BPM
- •Master switching cleanly between C, Em7, and D during the chorus
7/4 Counting & Intro Pedal Riff
⏱️ 2-3 weeks
- •Count the 7/4 meter as a group of 4 followed by a group of 3 with a metronome
- •Practice alternate picking the open D pedal note against the fretted B string notes
- •Smoothly transition from the 7/4 intro riff into the straight 4/4 verse groove
Multi-Guitar Layering & Stage Dynamic Control
⏱️ 3-4 weeks
- •Coordinate the two distinct guitar parts: Dave Grohl's rhythm and Chris Shiflett's arpeggiated lead fills
- •Replicate the full studio dynamic explosion from delicate intro guitar to massive quad-tracked wall of sound
- •Sing the lead vocal or vocal harmonies while maintaining the 7/4 intro guitar rhythm
Practice Notes & Routine
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Counting 7/4 as 8 beats and adding an unnecessary eighth note pause at the end of the bar
- •Muting the ringing open D string while fretting notes on the adjacent B string
- •Rushing the tempo during the transition from the odd-meter intro into the straight 4/4 verse
⏱️Targeted Practice Routine
0/3 Completed (0%)Check off each segment during your session to track your practice progress:
- 10 minutes: 7/4 metronome counting (divided 4+3) at 110-145 BPM
- 15 minutes: Open D string pedal point clarity and string separation drills
- 15 minutes: Full band play-along practicing the seamless shift between 7/4 and 4/4
🎯 Key Focus Areas
- •7/4 metric stability and internal pulse
- •Open D string pedal clarity
- •Dynamic explosive energy when the chorus hits
⏱️ Metronome Drills
- •Set metronome to 7/4 at 120 BPM, counting '1-2-3-4, 1-2-3' with accents on beats 1 and 5