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.

[Funky Crêpe]

does anyone know some really good songs in 7/8? Not by pink floyd or queen, not pop songs really, any funk ojazz or world music coming to mind?

[criz p. critter]

Anything by Mahavishnu Orchestra.

[hauk]

4/4 and 7/8

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

Actually you are both right. 4/4 has 8 eighth notes + obviously 7 in 7/8 = 15 eighth notes. It's the same thing as 15/4, with either the 15/4 equaling two reps of the 4/4+7/8 or the quarter note in 15/4 equaling the eighth note in 4/4+7/8. Both interpretations are equally valid (and if you consider it 15/4, you still hear an 8+7 or 4+4+7 phrasing). You just have different rhythmic perspectives.

This is why I try to avoid bottom numbers. For instance it's often just easier to say something is in 5 rather than try to justify whether it's in 5/8 or 5/4 (or 5/16). Sometimes there really is justification for one or the other, and sometimes there isn't.

[kingsxrocks]

dream theater - stream of conciousness

much of it is in 5/4, although there is some 6/8 thrown in too.

great instrumental track, one of their best.

[Ferret]

Pretty much anything (At least half the tracks on any album) by these bands is guaranteed to have something weird in it.

Porcupine Tree (has a track in 19/16)

Primus (the only band I know to ever play 22/4, the duchess and the proverbial min)

Meshuggah (the entire tech metal genre is in irregular meter, or extremely displaced 4.)

Sikth

Dream Theater (Panic attack has pretty cool 5/8 stuff in it, someone already said stream of consciousness)

Tool (4-7, all day. A lot of cool contrasts between the bottom numbers 8 +4..they make a 5/8 over 5/4 polyrhtym with claps at the end of the grudge)

The Mars Volta (the mid section of Cygnus...Vismund Cygnus, has a 16th note barcut in it. Can't remember the meter but its fun to jam on)

There's so many... but these are my favs.

[Pass.of.E.r.a.]

Dream Theater's In The Presence of Enemies Pt.1 has some really wacky times signatures.

Oh, and also their song The Dance Of Eternity...well just watch this (skip to about 40 seconds in) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7jikeIyKaE&feature=related

-Jonathan

[thatguykalem]

Anything from Karnivool's album Sound Awake.

[TomRaaff]

A very groovy one is:
Oi va Voi - Ladino song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2r_L2PIJwQ) 7/8

Bertolf - Cut me loose (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDhZSVWXx_o) Also 7/8

As stated before:
The Mars Volta : Cygnus... Vismund Cygnus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OnFKTNC77I)

This one's really great:
the Mars Volta: Cassandra Gemini II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjwg7gh3gdA)
In fact I'm having a very hard time figuring out what time signature it's in. It might even be an 8/8 but frased in a pretty weird way.

[Ekim]

Steve Vai's "The Attitude Song" IIRC that's straight time on the drums vs odd time on the guitars. Interesting song to play.

[supermac]

Rush does lots of really accessible odd-time songs

(A couple of posters have mentioned the Rush song 'Subdivisions'.

The verse of the song is in 7/8, and the chorus is in 3/4.)

Also try,

Yes,

Genesis,

Porcupine Tree (their drummer Gavin Harrison is the modern master of odd times)

Mahavishnu Orchestra

Frank Zappa

Mars Volta

Dave Brubeck Take Five

Messugah

etc, etc, etc.

[motojt]

The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Manic Depression
Led Zeppelin: How Many More Times
Queens of the Stone Age: A Song for the Deaf
Queens of the Stone Age: Hangin' Tree
System of a Down: Toxicity
Wolfmother: Witchcraft

[Pollyanna]

A couple of easy odd time sigs:

Manfred Mann's Earth Band playing Time is Right:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9Tghos-lTg#t=3m05s

and Solar Fire:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoZQtveTgDI

As a matter of interest, the drummer on each track is Chris Slade who later played with ACDC ... very different gig!

[supermac]

Further on the Gavin Harrison and odd times issue,

Check out his second DVD - Rythmic Illussions, I think - where he kindly included some downloadable MP3 files to play along to.

One track is called 19 Days which is in a formidable 19/8 time signature.

It's a great piece of music, highly challenging at first, but once I nailed it, one of the most satisfying songs I've ever played to.

Also check out Vinnie Colaiuta with Jeff Beck on the recent One Night At Ronnie Scott's DVD for some crazy odd times...

[Hedon]

This one's really great:
the Mars Volta: Cassandra Gemini II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjwg7gh3gdA)
In fact I'm having a very hard time figuring out what time signature it's in. It might even be an 8/8 but frased in a pretty weird way.
giving it some listens now trying to figure out

if youre talking about the opening part (about 00:00-00:40, i see it in 2 sections: i would count it as (8th notes):

8 -> 5 -> 8 -> 6 (section 1)
and
7 -> 9 -> 7 -> 9 (section 2)

so its actually not 4/4 (the 2nd section is though)

the part that starts at about 00:40 into the song is 4/4 with additional 2 quarter notes i believe
the accents through this part go x--x--x--x-x--x-x--x--x--x-x--x- ( 3 3 3 2 3 2 ) which is 4/4, except the 4th time it repeats it cuts in the middle (3 3 2) and after these 2 quarters, in the last 4 quarters, the accents simply go with the melody (x--x--x--x--x-x-)
so in quarters i would count that part
4 -> 4 -> 4 -> 2 -> 4

i think they tried to create an illusion of 3/2 kinda polyrhythmic feel on that 2nd part with those accents
my terminology is pretty bad i hope someone with better understanding could explain it better
mars volta are pretty cool anyways even though they're (especially the vocalist!) too over the top at times

[ccsimms]

if you look at some heavier genres such as mathcore and experimental and technical metal you see alot of complex application of odd-time signatures and even polyrhythms and polymeters. these genres are typically more jazz-influenced in the sense that there's more feel and improvisation applied, other than bands like Dream Theater who are typically stale and free from emotionally-stimulating playing
check out these cats:
morgan agren
jon karel
tomas haake
peter magadini
gary novak