Odd Time Signatures

[ajgdrums722]

What are some good songs to play to in odd time signatures?

~Seven Days, Sting
~I Was Brought To My Senses, Sting
~The Ocean, Led Zeppelin
~Money, Pink Floyd
~Rapunzel, Dave Matthews Band
~Satellite, Dave Matthews Band
~Living In The Past, Jethro Tull
~Whipping Post, The Allman Brothers

Any other songs to add to the list?

[FunkTional Art]

I'll suggest a couple of tunes mmmmmmm how about a little Jazz like Footprints by Wayne Shorter and Take Five by Dave Brubeck

[Just Drums]

What are some good songs to play to in odd time signatures?

~Seven Days, Sting
~I Was Brought To My Senses, Sting
~The Ocean, Led Zeppelin
~Money, Pink Floyd
~Rapunzel, Dave Matthews Band
~Satellite, Dave Matthews Band
~Living In The Past, Jethro Tull
~Whipping Post, The Allman Brothers

Any other songs to add to the list?


Good list! I'm sure you can easily toss in a couple of Rush tunes as well.

[OldHippy]

What time is Whipping Post in?

[Muckster]

"Spoonman" - Sound Garden

[Sesh]

Satellite (DMB) is just in 3/4 time, with some unusual phrasing - no actual odd-time in there like the others on that list. That said, if you're including unusual ways of playing 3/4 you have to check out Kashmir by Led Zepellin - it's a very very good example of an alternative way of phrasing 3/4.

If you want to get really messed up: Keep It Greasy by Frank zappa (from the album Joe's Garage)

[Just Drums]

What time is Whipping Post in?

I believe parts of it are in 11/8.

[Just Drums]

What time is Whipping Post in?

I believe parts of it are in 11/8.

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

Satellite (DMB) is just in 3/4 time, with some unusual phrasing - no actual odd-time in there
3/4 is an odd time signature, it is just much more common in western music so we don't usually think of it as odd. But it is. DPS

[Peter W.]

Diarry Of A Madman: Ozzy Osbourne
Time Is Right: Manfred Manns Earth Band
Spectrum: Billy Cobham
Solar Fire: Manfred Manns Earth Band
Gettin' Betta: Pat Travers
Heat In The Street: Pat Travers
Jacobs Ladder: Rush

[Shinx]

If you want to get really messed up: Keep It Greasy by Frank zappa (from the album Joe's Garage)
Thats a good place to look if you really want to hear some interesting stuff. I read an article written by Steve Vai about how he used to transcribe for Zappa and his band and there were parts that were just ridiculous

Also, Tool has some odd time parts, I think "The Flood" is in 10/8 and a few other good songs

[Ian Ballard]

Thats a good place to look if you really want to hear some interesting stuff. I read an article written by Steve Vai about how he used to transcribe for Zappa and his band and there were parts that were just ridiculous

Also, Tool has some odd time parts, I think "The Flood" is in 10/8 and a few other good songs

The verses and end guitar jam in "Keep it Greasy" is in 19/16. Basically you just play 4/4 and add 3 sixteenth notes on the end.. or you could permutate it a million other ways like Vinnie did.

[Ian Ballard]

Thats a good place to look if you really want to hear some interesting stuff. I read an article written by Steve Vai about how he used to transcribe for Zappa and his band and there were parts that were just ridiculous

Also, Tool has some odd time parts, I think "The Flood" is in 10/8 and a few other good songs

The verses and end guitar jam in "Keep it Greasy" is in 19/16. Basically you just play 4/4 and add 3 sixteenth notes on the end.. or you could permutate it a million other ways like Vinnie did.

[Ian Ballard]

Thats a good place to look if you really want to hear some interesting stuff. I read an article written by Steve Vai about how he used to transcribe for Zappa and his band and there were parts that were just ridiculous

Also, Tool has some odd time parts, I think "The Flood" is in 10/8 and a few other good songs

The verses and end guitar jam in "Keep it Greasy" is in 19/16. Basically you just play 4/4 and add 3 sixteenth notes on the end.. or you could permutate it a million other ways like Vinnie did.

[Peter W.]

Changes: Yes
All You Need Is Love: The Beatles
Perfect Strangers: Deep Purple
Starbird: Manfred Manns Earth Band
Tubular Bells: Mike Oldfield

[Ozzy Biz]

There's a couple of Tool ones which are great... the all time favourite Schism from the Lateralus album and also Jambi off the new album 10,000 days. Jambi is a killer, Carey absolutley messes with your head during that one.
Wrong Girl by Jane's Addiction is another a good one; it has a really strong, cool groove in 7/8.
That's all I can think of at the moment, I'll add to this later

Biz

[Sesh]

3/4 is an odd time signature, it is just much more common in western music so we don't usually think of it as odd. But it is. DPS

It very much depends on whether you are describing odd as in "not even" or as in "unusual". In terms of this particular conversation the context is that of unusual, which is why I pointed out that satellite is in 3/4 (as it's not always clear with some of the rhythmic ideas and displacements Carter plays in the song). I say that, because for the purposes of this thread, and everyday life I'd also consider 18/16 as an odd time signature as it's unusual, rather than say it's technically even - or say it could be written as 9/8 and is therefore odd.

[Skitch]

I Hung My Head, Sting
Seven Days, Sting - probably my favorite odd time tune to run down.

I forgot about Changes, Yes

The entire "Joe's Garage" albums by Frank Zappa

Here's is something with unusual phrasing, Limelight by Rush. The verses are in 3/4 as far as the guitars are concerned. The drums are in 4/4. This same method was used on the choruses of "Subdivisions."


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXMxJw0VnqE (”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXMxJw0VnqE”)

[mlehnertz]

St. Augustine in Hell - Sting (same CD as Seven Days).
Love is Stronge than Justice - Sting (guess what CD...)

[finnhiggins]

I'm a little wary of the whole thing of chasing music purely because of the time signature. It's a good idea to familiarise yourself with playing in odd times, but don't get drawn into the "My song is better than yours because the number on the bottom of the time signature is bigger" mindset. Time signatures are just the shape of the canvas, what gets painted on it is an entirely different matter. After Tool's album "Lateralus" came out in 2001 I had to listen to a lot of very painful teenage bands playing a lot of really naff odd-time parts. These people couldn't play good stuff in 4/4, what made them think they could do it in 11/16?

[LiveGoat]

My friend's band, Boy/Girl plays stuff in just the most weird signatures I guess. The thing is the drummer is totally self taught. She doesn't read music or anything. She just has a great sense of time. I've asked her what signature such-and-such song is in and she's like, "I don't know, I just follow the guitar changes. But I still think it's good to be able to count it out cause you never know when you're gonna be in a situation where you can't really clue in on the beat by ear.

[sir_willy]

Dance of Eternity - Dream Theater

Sound Chaser - Yes

[mlehnertz]

I always thought it was "We're better musicians because we can play in an odd time signature."

"My song is better than yours because the number on the bottom of the time signature is bigger" mindset.

[Mr. Helm]

The Cinema Show - Genesis
Turn It On Again - Genesis
Apocalypse in 9/8 - Genesis
Siberian Khathru - Yes

[nate]

7/4 (Shoreline) Broken Social Scene




the mans (finnhiggins) right just cause something is in an odd sig. dont make in good. in fact we (my band) have a song in 5/4 which is pretty dull...

something else we enjoy is i play 4/4 the others 6/8

it sounds good.

[funkster5TP]

There is a Victor Wooten track on his album "Ying Yang" called "Zynergy"!.......It's in 5/8 featuring Carter Beauford (DMB). It's quite a tough one as he regularly ignores the bar line but the track flows nicely so once you get the hang of it it's a fun one to play!

Another good one is "Goe" from and albumn by "Mathieson, Landau, Laboriel, Colaiutia live at the Baked Potato". It's a great track in 7/8. It's a pretty crazy one as can be expected from Vinnie and hard to get to grips with!!.....It takes a while but it's worth the hard work!!!

One of my favourites and alot easier to play is "Solsbury Hill" by "Peter Gabriel". The live version on the "Secret World" tour featuring Manu Katche is the best. It's in 7/4 and he plays a pretty standard groove throughout!!

hope that helps!!

[funkster5TP]

There is a Victor Wooten track on his album "Ying Yang" called "Zynergy"!.......It's in 5/8 featuring Carter Beauford (DMB). It's quite a tough one as he regularly ignores the bar line but the track flows nicely so once you get the hang of it it's a fun one to play!

Another good one is "Goe" from and albumn by "Mathieson, Landau, Laboriel, Colaiutia live at the Baked Potato". It's a great track in 7/8. It's a pretty crazy one as can be expected from Vinnie and hard to get to grips with!!.....It takes a while but it's worth the hard work!!!

One of my favourites and alot easier to play is "Solsbury Hill" by "Peter Gabriel". The live version on the "Secret World" tour featuring Manu Katche is the best. It's in 7/4 and he plays a pretty standard groove throughout!!

hope that helps!!

[fusssion]

classic jazz .......... Dave Brubeck"take 5" (5)

fusion ......... Jeff Beck "Space Boogie" ( 7/4 ) Simon Phillips is sick on this track! :)

pop/jazz ...... Sting 7 Days....(I don't really know what that's in)

rock ....Rush Subdivisions has some cool phrasings in 6/4 I believe

[Oldie]

Maybee a little off topic, but her's a link to wikipedias list of music in unusual timesignatures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_works_in_irregular_time_signatures

[deltadrummer1]

classic jazz .......... Dave Brubeck"take 5" (5)

fusion ......... Jeff Beck "Space Boogie" ( 7/4 ) Simon Phillips is sick on this track! :)

pop/jazz ...... Sting 7 Days....(I don't really know what that's in)

rock ....Rush Subdivisions has some cool phrasings in 6/4 I believe

Lol yeah, I'd like for someone to send me the drum tab to Space Boogie.

[Skitch]

classic jazz .......... Dave Brubeck"take 5" (5)

fusion ......... Jeff Beck "Space Boogie" ( 7/4 ) Simon Phillips is sick on this track! :)

pop/jazz ...... Sting 7 Days....(I don't really know what that's in)

rock ....Rush Subdivisions has some cool phrasings in 6/4 I believe

Seven Days 5/8 or 5/4. I transcribed this out!


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com


http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw

[fusssion]

Seven Days 5/8 or 5/4. I transcribed this out!


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com


http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw

Thanks Mike,...I listened to it after I posted,...and I'd have to agree! thanks

[fusssion]

Jeez....looking at Ten Summoner's Tales......

2. Love is Stronger Than Justice ...........is in 7 (love the ending on that one!!!)
7. Saint Agustine in Hell............ is also in 7

[michael drums]

I like Rushs'

1.) "La Villa Strangiato" - Hemispheres

2.) "The Weapon" - Signals

3.) "Double Agent" - Counterparts

4.) "Xanadu" - A Farewell To Kings

5.) "Cinderella Man" - " "

6.) "Hemispheres" - Hemispheres

7.) "Natural Science" - Permanent Waves

8.) "Digital Man" - Signals

9.) "The Way The Wind Blows" - Snakes & Arrows

10.) "Malignant Narcissism" - " "

11.) "The Main Mokey Business" - " "

12.) "One Little Victory" - Vapor Trails

13.) "Entre Nous" - Permanent Waves

14.) "Freewill" - " "

15.) "Circumstances" - Hemispheres

Well, to make a long story short... Neil Peart uses odd time signatures ALL THE TIME!!

...Play On! ;-)

[maddrummr]

Money by Pink Floyd 7/8

if you didnt know that already

[caprisun3484]

I'll suggest a couple of tunes mmmmmmm how about a little Jazz like Footprints by Wayne Shorter and Take Five by Dave Brubeck

what time signature is Footprints in?

[foursticks]

what time signature is Footprints in?

6/4 I believe according to the liner notes of Miles Smiles. Those are some good liner notes...

[squee02]

the crunge by led zeppelin is a fun 9/8 song

[funky_white_boy]

Anyone know what time sig led zeppelins "ocean" is in?

[spartacus1989]

16/4, all of zeps songs were originally wrote in 16/4! I forgot the reason why now :/!

[zambizzi]

Anyone know what time sig led zeppelins "ocean" is in?

4/4 and 7/8

2020202020202020

[EtherealCereal]

4/4 and 7/8

2020202020202020

Sorry. 'The Ocean' is in 15/4.

[NewBeatsGroove]

since you seem to like dmb look at

the songs "seven" and " the dreaming tree" both in 7/8

[ace76543]

almost anything by tool

[bobdadruma]

Whipping Post is in 11/8 time! I have played it for years. Except for the chorus. Listen to "The Eleven" by The Dead also to get more insight.

[Cris]

Talking of odd time signatures, has anyone worked out what's happening on Tink Walks Amok on The Man from Utopia album by Zappa. I have tried this on several occasions but still ain't got my head around it.