Musical Pieces With Odd Time Signatures

[WannaWitness]

Yes, this is what you think it is.

I have recently become intrigued with songs and musical pieces written in unusual time signatures, such as 5/4, 7/8, and so on. While I am aware some people may not have a taste for such music, there is some out there that I believe almost anyone can appreciate

Here is a thread in which people can post (and discuss) music of varying styles written (fully or partially) in odd time signatures.

Here is a classic example almost everyone has heard before:

Take Five - The Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959) - YouTube

 

[WannaWitness]

This one is mostly in 4/4, but has a 6/4 intro and some guitar riffs in 7/8.

PETRA - CHAMELEON - YouTube

 

[WannaWitness]

Upstart - Don Ellis. The time signature is shown on the album cover you see in the video. It really doesn't sound as weird as one might suspect!

Upstart - Don Ellis - YouTube

 

[WannaWitness]

Comme Le Vent. The time signature is 2/16.

Alkan Op.39 No.1 - Comme le vent - YouTube

 

[WannaWitness]

Just as it says in the title (at least partially).

Michel Camilo - Tombo7/4 - YouTube

This is in 13/4... it can grow on you!

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

 

[WannaWitness]

This is said to be in 24/16.

Prelude and Fugue No. 15 in G major, BWV 860, from Bach's Well-tempered Clavier, Gulda pianist - YouTube

 

[markb77]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsCyC1dZiN8

After "Take Five", the first odd signature song that comes to my mind is always Jethro Tull's "Living in the Past". It's also in 5/4.

 

[WannaWitness]

Jethro Tull - Living In The Past 1969 - YouTube

After "Take Five", the first odd signature song that comes to my mind is always Jethro Tull's "Living in the Past". It's also in 5/4.

You gotta love that bouncy beat! I have come to a place where I have trained my ear to some of these offbeat sounds (not all, mind you, as there are still a few pieces I've heard that are somewhat annoying). It's just intriguing to me the way that they can grow on you to the point where they almost sound normal. I don't know... it just might be that when it comes to music, I'm a real geek!

 

[WannaWitness]

Donkey Carol, composed by John Rutter. It is in 5/8. I know it's a Christmas song, but it has such a beautiful melody and its tempo is waltz-like.

Donkey Carol, by John Rutter - YouTube

 

[WannaWitness]

Dance of the Little Fairies - Sky (in 5/4)

Sky - Dance of the Little Farries - YouTube

 

[WannaWitness]

Bulgarian Bulge, in 33/16!

Don Ellis - Bulgarian Bulge (1971) - YouTube

 

[stevevw]

Yes, this is what you think it is.

I have recently become intrigued with songs and musical pieces written in unusual time signatures, such as 5/4, 7/8, and so on. While I am aware some people may not have a taste for such music, there is some out there that I believe almost anyone can appreciate

Here is a thread in which people can post (and discuss) music of varying styles written (fully or partially) in odd time signatures.

Here is a classic example almost everyone has heard before:

Take Five - The Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959) - YouTube

I like the Dave Brubeck Quartet. I like different sorts of music. I came across this group but I'm not sure if its the 5/4 or 7/8 or that off beat and time you are looking for. They are called St Vincent and did some work with David Byrne of talking heads. If you are familiar with him and the tom tom club then you will know that they are quite different again. Anyway see what you think as i takes a bit of getting use to and is not everyone's cup of tea.
St Vincent - Surgeon (4AD Session) - YouTube

 

[WannaWitness]

I like the Dave Brubeck Quartet. I like different sorts of music. I came across this group but I'm not sure if its the 5/4 or 7/8 or that off beat and time you are looking for. They are called St Vincent and did some work with David Byrne of talking heads. If you are familiar with him and the tom tom club then you will know that they are quite different again. Anyway see what you think as i takes a bit of getting use to and is not everyone's cup of tea.
St Vincent - Surgeon (4AD Session) - YouTube

I heard it. Although it had an unusual sound altogether (albeit, in a good way!), the meter sounded like a basic 4/4 to me (except I heard what could have been an extra beat or half beat in an occasional bar). I am into music, but I'm especially intrigued with stuff that is different, and it seems to have been during this last year I have begun to study unusual time signatures. Wikipedia has a whole page that gives several examples of such music, either partially or throughout the entire musical piece. I was able to look a few of them up on Youtube, count the beats per measure to see how it adds up.

Here are some links you might find interesting:

List of musical works in unusual time signatures - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Quintuple meter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Septuple meter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Main/Uncommon Time - Television Tropes & Idioms

I appreciate your contribution to the thread, though, if anything for its overall odd sound.

 

[WannaWitness]

Look up the band "Meshuggah" -- they are the most prominent modern day pioneers of music involving unusual time signatures, polyrhythms and syncopation.

Thanks for the info.

 

[WannaWitness]

This is in 19/4. The title itself lends a clue on how to count out the beats, which add up to 19.

Don Ellis, 33 222 1 222 - YouTube

 

[WannaWitness]

Dave Brubeck's Unsquare Dance, in 7/4.

Dave Brubeck Quartet - "Unsquare Dance" - YouTube

I believe Brubeck was notorious for writing many pieces with odd meters and rhythms (as it seemed to be the case with Ellis) - yet for some reason had the ability to make it sound somewhat natural (to those who have the ear for it)!

 

[markb77]

Led Zeppelin "Four Sticks" from the fourth album. It's in 5/8 and 6/8.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyZc2Xqav_4

 

[actionsub]

Here's another one in 5/4...
King Crimson-Three of a Perfect Pair

 

[stevevw]

found one in 8/4. I like the guitar work.
John Petrucci - Damage Control - YouTube