Comments on: Music in 5/4 time http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/ The blog of John D. Cook Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:10:06 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: tony http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-135846 tony Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:20:18 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-135846 radiohead now sucks for me because they ruined a classic. get a better voice too btw dude from radiohead radiohead now sucks for me because they ruined a classic. get a better voice too btw dude from radiohead

]]> By: q_the_physicist http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-135538 q_the_physicist Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:45:21 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-135538 odd times aren't that "odd" at all. they are just additions of two regular times, in this case with "take 5", the musicians are adding 3 and 2, both normal beats in western music. so when you listen, you are not actually counting to five, but rather counting a "3" and then a "2" odd times aren’t that “odd” at all. they are just additions of two regular times, in this case with “take 5″, the musicians are adding 3 and 2, both normal beats in western music. so when you listen, you are not actually counting to five, but rather counting a “3″ and then a “2″

]]> By: Gene S http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-126244 Gene S Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:30:12 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-126244 My grandfather used to play pipe organ for vaudeville and silent movies in the '20's and 30's until talkies terminated his position. The audience often would tap their feet on the wooden suspended floor resulting in a loud beat with his music. When this happened, he would slide into a few bars of 5/8 time music where the tapping would stop after the few bars. He then resumed the regular music to a non-tapping audience. Very clever. My grandfather used to play pipe organ for vaudeville and silent movies in the ’20’s and 30’s until talkies terminated his position. The audience often would tap their feet on the wooden suspended floor resulting in a loud beat with his music. When this happened, he would slide into a few bars of 5/8 time music where the tapping would stop after the few bars. He then resumed the regular music to a non-tapping audience. Very clever.

]]> By: Mike S http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-123535 Mike S Tue, 20 Dec 2011 03:45:32 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-123535 The following paper contains a fairly extensive list of music, and musical genres, in time signatures that are not simple variants of 4/4 and 6/8. <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCgQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcgm.cs.mcgill.ca%2F~godfried%2Fpublications%2Fbanff.pdf&ei=igPwTsq5AeaSiALfvJGmDg&usg=AFQjCNGicA_qVlQNgmZZam3Xex3Opm_UyQ" rel="nofollow"> "The Euclidean Algorithm Generates Traditional Musical Rhythms" </a> by <a href="http://cgm.cs.mcgill.ca/~godfried/" rel="nofollow">Godfried Toussaint</a> <i>The Euclidean algorithm (which comes down to us from Euclid’s Elements) computes the greatest com- mon divisor of two given integers. It is shown here that the structure of the Euclidean algorithm may be used to generate, very efficiently, a large family of rhythms used as timelines (ostinatos), in sub-Saharan African music in particular, and world music in general. These rhythms, here dubbed Euclidean rhythms, have the property that their onset patterns are distributed as evenly as possible. Euclidean rhythms also find application in nuclear physics accelerators and in computer science, and are closely related to several families of words and sequences of interest in the study of the combinatorics of words, such as Euclidean strings, to which the Euclidean rhythms are compared. </i> The following paper contains a fairly extensive list of music, and musical genres, in time signatures that are not simple variants of 4/4 and 6/8.

“The Euclidean Algorithm Generates Traditional Musical Rhythms”

by Godfried Toussaint

The Euclidean algorithm (which comes down to us from Euclid’s Elements) computes the greatest com-
mon divisor of two given integers. It is shown here that the structure of the Euclidean algorithm may be
used to generate, very efficiently, a large family of rhythms used as timelines (ostinatos), in sub-Saharan
African music in particular, and world music in general. These rhythms, here dubbed Euclidean rhythms,
have the property that their onset patterns are distributed as evenly as possible. Euclidean rhythms also
find application in nuclear physics accelerators and in computer science, and are closely related to several
families of words and sequences of interest in the study of the combinatorics of words, such as Euclidean
strings, to which the Euclidean rhythms are compared.

]]> By: Heather Ferreira http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-115806 Heather Ferreira Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:36:38 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-115806 OK, who wants to try and tackle what the title of this 5/4 jazz composition is? It's from the 1970 edition of Sesame Street. Sounds to me like a library music selection, but I'd give my left armpit to learn who wrote it, what its title is and where I can buy it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA8ANPRLhIA OK, who wants to try and tackle what the title of this 5/4 jazz composition is? It’s from the 1970 edition of Sesame Street. Sounds to me like a library music selection, but I’d give my left armpit to learn who wrote it, what its title is and where I can buy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA8ANPRLhIA

]]> By: Stuart Buck http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-107774 Stuart Buck Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:37:07 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-107774 Deas Vail also has a song where the verses are in 7/8 time! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4xjsekBXqs Deas Vail also has a song where the verses are in 7/8 time! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4xjsekBXqs

]]> By: John M http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-107772 John M Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:35:51 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-107772 I adore weird time signatures in music. I hadn't realized how bizarre Crimson's infamous "Discipline" is. "During the song the two guitars of Belew and Fripp, respectively, move through the following sequence of pairs of time signatures: 5/8 and 5/8, 5/8 and 4/4, 5/8 and 9/8, 15/16 and 15/16, ... and 14/16. Throughout the drums play in 17/16." Only 17/16? Slacker! :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO2BIf12xnQ I adore weird time signatures in music. I hadn’t realized how bizarre Crimson’s infamous “Discipline” is. “During the song the two guitars of Belew and Fripp, respectively, move through the following sequence of pairs of time signatures: 5/8 and 5/8, 5/8 and 4/4, 5/8 and 9/8, 15/16 and 15/16, … and 14/16. Throughout the drums play in 17/16.”

Only 17/16? Slacker! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO2BIf12xnQ

]]> By: Stuart Buck http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-107761 Stuart Buck Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:38:37 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-107761 Deas Vail's "Atlantis" is one of the most beautiful rock songs I've heard, and the verses are in 5/4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=215a2CI-OlM Deas Vail’s “Atlantis” is one of the most beautiful rock songs I’ve heard, and the verses are in 5/4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=215a2CI-OlM

]]> By: Rod http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-107740 Rod Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:23:33 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-107740 also in 5/4 ... "Do what you like" by Blind Faith (self titled album 1969) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW4p02Nm1Vs" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW4p02Nm1Vs</a> also in 5/4 … “Do what you like” by Blind Faith (self titled album 1969) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW4p02Nm1Vs

]]> By: patfla http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-107724 patfla Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:49:21 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-107724 And (fwiw) Mahavishnu Orchestra had mind-blowing time signatures. And (fwiw) Mahavishnu Orchestra had mind-blowing time signatures.

]]> By: Jon Peltier http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-107721 Jon Peltier Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:17:50 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-107721 "Living in the Past" by Jethro Tull is in 5/4. Yes liked uncommon time signatures. Sections of "Close to the Edge" are written in 12/8 for guitar and keyboard, and in 8/8 for bass and drums. "Tales from Topographic Oceans" is all over. “Living in the Past” by Jethro Tull is in 5/4.

Yes liked uncommon time signatures. Sections of “Close to the Edge” are written in 12/8 for guitar and keyboard, and in 8/8 for bass and drums. “Tales from Topographic Oceans” is all over.

]]> By: patfla http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-107705 patfla Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:11:01 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-107705 The beautiful second movement to Tschaikovsky's 6th (and last) symphony really sounds like a waltz (3/4) but is in fact 5/4. I'm a musician (but work as a programmer): Brubeck's Take 5 sounds like 5/4 - Tschaikovsky's 2nd movement to the 6th does not. Quite a slight of hand. The beautiful second movement to Tschaikovsky’s 6th (and last) symphony really sounds like a waltz (3/4) but is in fact 5/4. I’m a musician (but work as a programmer): Brubeck’s Take 5 sounds like 5/4 – Tschaikovsky’s 2nd movement to the 6th does not.

Quite a slight of hand.

]]> By: Ian http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-107678 Ian Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:27:38 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-107678 Genesis also tends to use odd time signatures. A good example is Turn It On Again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au0_4hE_4-g The main riff is in 13, which I'd break up into 6+7, or further into 4+2+4+3. There's also a prechorus section that I can't figure out how to count. Genesis also tends to use odd time signatures. A good example is Turn It On Again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au0_4hE_4-g

The main riff is in 13, which I’d break up into 6+7, or further into 4+2+4+3. There’s also a prechorus section that I can’t figure out how to count.

]]> By: Odd meter music — The Endeavour http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-107650 Odd meter music — The Endeavour Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:08:10 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-107650 [...] post Music in 5/4 time continues to get a regular stream of traffic over two years after it was posted. Check out the [...] [...] post Music in 5/4 time continues to get a regular stream of traffic over two years after it was posted. Check out the [...]

]]> By: Gary Gapinski http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-104213 Gary Gapinski Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:25:31 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-104213 See also "Get Over, Get Off and Get On" in <cite><a href="http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-blue-yusef-lateef-r142548/review" title="The Blue Yusef Lateef" rel="nofollow">The Blue Yusef Lateef</a></cite>. See also “Get Over, Get Off and Get On” in The Blue Yusef Lateef.

]]> By: BAP170.1 Creative Project Presentation « soundmission http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-96984 BAP170.1 Creative Project Presentation « soundmission Sun, 07 Aug 2011 04:15:42 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-96984 [...] Music in 5/4 Time [Accessed: 07.08.11] [...] [...] Music in 5/4 Time [Accessed: 07.08.11] [...]

]]> By: Mary http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-93343 Mary Sun, 17 Jul 2011 10:05:59 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-93343 ...meant CAN'T remember...multiple senior moments! …meant CAN’T remember…multiple senior moments!

]]> By: Mary http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-93341 Mary Sun, 17 Jul 2011 10:04:37 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-93341 Another 9/8 is the Irish slip jig (3 groups of 3 per bar). Sang a 5/4 hymn in church this p.m. with a very familiar melody (I remember it as an instrumental) by a composer I've never hear of (and unfortunately can remember now). Another 9/8 is the Irish slip jig (3 groups of 3 per bar).
Sang a 5/4 hymn in church this p.m. with a very familiar melody (I remember it as an instrumental) by a composer I’ve never hear of (and unfortunately can remember now).

]]> By: kim http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-73449 kim Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:40:37 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-73449 I want to know more about "odd" time signatures in Pakistani and Indian music and does anyone know about jazz musicians who have incorporated these sounds? I want to know more about “odd” time signatures in Pakistani and Indian music and does anyone know about jazz musicians who have incorporated these sounds?

]]> By: Johannes http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-62327 Johannes Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:03:58 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-62327 Mussorgsky's Promenade from Pictures of an Exhibition constantly changes between 5/4 and 6/4. I never actually <em>heard</em> that it switches time signatures, but the sheet music looked weird at first :-) Mussorgsky’s Promenade from Pictures of an Exhibition constantly changes between 5/4 and 6/4. I never actually heard that it switches time signatures, but the sheet music looked weird at first :-)

]]> By: mnb http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-61057 mnb Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:25:11 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-61057 If you like odd time signatures, check out Rush, a Canadian Rock Trio Band. They seem to live for odd time signatures as most of their music tries to avoid 4/4. If you like odd time signatures, check out Rush, a Canadian Rock Trio Band. They seem to live for odd time signatures as most of their music tries to avoid 4/4.

]]> By: Gage http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-53548 Gage Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:05:21 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-53548 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZquiACzPLY There's a song in 5/4... at least partially. Anybody remember ELP? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZquiACzPLY

There’s a song in 5/4… at least partially. Anybody remember ELP?

]]> By: Blake http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-49272 Blake Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:38:57 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-49272 Awesome remix. John. Btw, I just discovered that Take Five still makes $100k per year in royalties. Incredible: http://www.smoothharold.com/despite-being-50-years-old-my-favorite-jazz-song-makes-100k-year/ Awesome remix. John. Btw, I just discovered that Take Five still makes $100k per year in royalties. Incredible:

http://www.smoothharold.com/despite-being-50-years-old-my-favorite-jazz-song-makes-100k-year/

]]> By: Suresh http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-49102 Suresh Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:40:19 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-49102 These odd time signatures are quite common in South Indian classical music. 5/8 and 7/8 are often. These odd time signatures are quite common in South Indian classical music. 5/8 and 7/8 are often.

]]> By: Radivoje Balkanac http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-47657 Radivoje Balkanac Sat, 02 Oct 2010 20:03:44 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-47657 Folk music from Balkans is mostly written in "odd" time signature. Most common are 7/8, 9/8 and 11/8. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FowHCMUc4Tw" rel="nofollow">Here is an example</a> of 9/8 in modern arrangement. And some of it in 7/8:<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f-ueDtYNA8" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f-ueDtYNA8</a> :) Folk music from Balkans is mostly written in “odd” time signature. Most common are 7/8, 9/8 and 11/8.

Here is an example of 9/8 in modern arrangement.

And some of it in 7/8:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f-ueDtYNA8 :)

]]> By: Eric http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-47597 Eric Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:22:07 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-47597 Decoupage on Kenton '76 is one of my favorite 5/4 songs. Played that in Jazz Band in college. Also tried "Time for a Change" mentioned above, but the horns never quite caught the time signature well enough to be able to perform it. I"ll note too that while you said 9/4 isn't usually considered "odd," in Time for a Change it's not 3 groups of 3 like it might be (and which might not be all that odd), but rather a "2-2-3-2" pattern (I think), which makes it odd. Decoupage on Kenton ‘76 is one of my favorite 5/4 songs. Played that in Jazz Band in college. Also tried “Time for a Change” mentioned above, but the horns never quite caught the time signature well enough to be able to perform it.

I”ll note too that while you said 9/4 isn’t usually considered “odd,” in Time for a Change it’s not 3 groups of 3 like it might be (and which might not be all that odd), but rather a “2-2-3-2″ pattern (I think), which makes it odd.

]]> By: Weekend miscellany — The Endeavour http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-47590 Weekend miscellany — The Endeavour Fri, 01 Oct 2010 18:01:37 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-47590 [...] Classical sacred music Music in 5/4 time [...] [...] Classical sacred music Music in 5/4 time [...]

]]> By: Jared http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-41062 Jared Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:18:46 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-41062 Another common piece in 5/4 is Gustav Holst's Mars, from his suite The Planets. Another common piece in 5/4 is Gustav Holst’s Mars, from his suite The Planets.

]]> By: Jordan http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-39845 Jordan Sun, 13 Jun 2010 05:19:00 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-39845 Sting's "Seven Days" is also in 5/4. Definitely has a natural and free sound to it. Sting’s “Seven Days” is also in 5/4. Definitely has a natural and free sound to it.

]]> By: Steve and Jock http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2009/02/27/music-in-54-time/comment-page-1/#comment-27048 Steve and Jock Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:57:46 +0000 http://www.johndcook.com/blog/?p=1632#comment-27048 "Sky" did "Dance of the Little Fairies" in 5/4 as well, and it was in the same kind of 5/4 as Take Five. For a truly mindbending polyrhythmic time signature, check out Gorillaz 5/4, in which the guitars play in 5/4 but the drums in 4/4. “Sky” did “Dance of the Little Fairies” in 5/4 as well, and it was in the same kind of 5/4 as Take Five.

For a truly mindbending polyrhythmic time signature, check out Gorillaz 5/4, in which the guitars play in 5/4 but the drums in 4/4.

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