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Do you know how to count music in odd time signatures? Guitar teacher Joe L. breaks down the basics that guitarists need to know about playing in unusual times…
If you are a guitarist, you know that playing in odd time signatures can be tricky. It’s like trying to do a jigsaw puzzle with pieces in different shapes and sizes. It requires patience, technique, and practice.
But don’t worry – this guide will help you master the art of playing in odd time signatures!
How Do You Read Odd Time Signatures?
It can be daunting when reading a music piece for the first time that includes odd time signatures, but there are some tips to make counting odd time signatures easier:
- One of the most important things is to become familiar with common meter signatures like 5/4 and 7/8 counting.
- Try to think of them in terms of two or three note groups, so five quarter-notes in 5/4 would sub-divide into two groups of two notes and one group of one note.
- Those same five notes could also be broken down into groups of three and two, depending on the emphasis desired.
- Working with your metronome will immensely help build up confidence in recognizing these pulse movements as well.
- Looking at the rhythmic notation can provide clues as to how those figures should be treated when counting or playing.
With the right tools and a good ear for rhythm, it is entirely within reach to start playing odd time signatures comfortably!
Still struggling when it comes to playing songs in odd time signatures? Be sure to ask your guitar instructor for tips. And if you haven’t signed up for guitar lessons yet, be sure to do so!
Not only will you learn more about how to deal with every odd time signature you encounter, but you’ll also learn helpful tips like the ones you see below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tKEkV7bB1E
Guitar Odd Time Signatures Explained
Timing is something that most guitarists have to pick up early in playing music. Playing in time is very important; it may be the most important quality and skill you can develop and improve upon as you continue learning to play guitar.
If you’re looking at a piece of music, the time signature is the two numbers that look like a fraction at the beginning of the piece. These numbers tell you how to count time in the piece you’re going to play.
The two most popular time signatures are 4/4 (1-2-3-4) and 3/4 (1-2-3-1-2-3). People can naturally follow along with these time signatures, but what happens when the timing is different?
Many newer musicians can get lost trying to play along with others who are playing in an odd time like 7/8. But there are some simple tricks you can do to play in time with strange grooves.
Time Signatures in 5
For example, when playing in 5/4, you can count (1-2-3-4-5), (1-2-1-2-3) or (1-2-3-1-2). By doing so, you will break down the structure to the timing, and you can then split it into two parts: 1-2 and then 1-2-3 (or the other way around: 1-2-3 and then 1-2).
You’ll find the groove in there somewhere (depending on how the music that you’re playing goes) by recognizing where the accent is (the beat that gets stressed or emphasized) in the song. You can get very imaginative when breaking the rhythm down, such as (1-2-3-4-1). Here are some examples of popular songs in 5.
“Halloween Theme (Main Title)” (from “Halloween”) by John Carpenter
“Mission Impossible Theme” by Lalo Schifrin
Time Signatures in 7
In 7/8, you can break the rhythm down into (1-2-3-1-2-1-2) or (1-2-1-2-1-2-3). You can also use (1-2-3-1-2-3-1) or (1-2-1-2-1-1-2). Again, listen for the accent notes to figure out how to break up your counts.
Get creative on how you can break these rhythms down; my examples aren’t the only methods. Below are a couple of popular tunes in 7.
“Dreaming in Metaphors” by Seal
“Die To Live” by Steve Vai
With other times, such as 11, you can break them down in multiple ways, for example (1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4-1-2-3), (1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4) or (1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4).
More Songs With Odd Time Signatures
When you’re learning to play the guitar, one of the most intimidating aspects can be playing in odd time signatures.
Most popular music is written in 4/4, but once you start delving into more complicated music, it can be hard to know what songs are worth your time. Have no fear—here are some fun tunes that feature odd time signatures that will help you practice and become a better guitarist.
“Moby Dick” by Led Zeppelin – 9/8 Time Signature
This classic rock anthem is an excellent way to practice your 9/8 time signature chops. Not only does this iconic song have some tricky riffs, but its solo section also features an extremely difficult guitar part that showcases Jimmy Page’s mastery of the instrument. If you’re feeling really ambitious, try tackling John Bonham’s drum part as well!
“Pigs (Three Different Ones)” by Pink Floyd – 7/8 Time Signature
At its core, this is a pretty straightforward tune—but the 7/8 time signature means it has an interesting swing feel that makes it stand out from other tracks by Pink Floyd. It also features a great bass line courtesy of Roger Waters—a great example of how just two notes can make such a big impact on a track.
“Lateralus” by Tool – 13/17 Time Signature
This progressive metal juggernaut is sure to challenge even the most experienced players due to its mind-boggling 13/17 time signature. The verse starts off with a simple 3/4 riff before transitioning into something more complex in the chorus sections. While it may take some practice to get up to speed with this intense track, it’s definitely worth it when you finally nail that tricky riff!
How to Count Odd Time Signatures – Ask Your Guitar Teacher for Tips!
A suggestion to getting better playing in odd times is to use a metronome in the time you’re trying to learn. Or, you can look up drum tracks in odd times online, and play with them until you start finding yourself feeling the rhythm and playing in the groove.
These unusual time signatures aren’t found too often, but when they are used, they can be the most recognizable pieces you’ve heard.
Before you try to tackle these odd times with chords and scales, try muting the strings and work it out until you feel these grooves. It helps a lot to tackle only the rhythm first before trying to incorporate the chords.
Once you feel comfortable strumming in odd time signatures, you can then start adding in chords and scales to really start jamming! Good luck!
For more help learning the basics of guitar, taking lessons from a private teacher is the best way to improve. Find your guitar teacher now!
Joe L. teaches guitar lessons in New York, NY. He has been teaching guitar for 15 years and in his teaching he focuses on breaking down music theory to make learning music easy and accessible for all his students. Learn more about Joe here.
Photo by Jen Gallardo
Megan L.