Music Theory: Odd and Compound Time Signatures

Every time you load up a new session, regardless of DAW, the time signature defaults to 4/4, the most common time signature used in music composition. For those who need a quick review, the top note of the time signature refers to the number of beats per measure and the bottom number describes what kind of note receives one beat, thus determining the time value of all the notes in the signature.

Most producers, especially of the EDM variety, are naturally guided to the ‘4 on the floor’ time signature, without giving other possibilities a second thought because it’s so widely used. And rightly so, the time signature of 4/4 is what moves and grooves most of the population as well as other common quarter note based ones like 2/4 and 3/4. The time signature 3/4 is an odd time signature, but the most recognizable in classical forms like waltzes with its feeling of swinging motion, rather than march-like 4/4 or 2/4 time. But, there are other exciting possibilities in the world of time signatures to explore. In this article I will demystify the most common Odd Meters like 5/4, 7/4, 5/8 & 7/8, and describe the wonderful world of compound meters. 

Common Odd Meters

5/4 and 7/4

Without a doubt, 5/4 and 7/4 are the most commonly used odd time signatures. The quarter note still receives one beat in both, but each has a unique feel. Both go against our natural tendency to think in strictly duple or triple, especially when it comes to which beats are emphasized in a melodic phrase or in the groove. In any time signature, the first beat receives the most emphasis followed by secondary or weaker emphasis beats. 

One of the memorable music themes in 5/4 is the Mission Impossible theme. Many folks recognize Paul Desmond’s jazz classic "Take Five" on Dave Brubeck’s album Time Out as a masterful take on this time signature. In "Take Five", the melodic phrasing is consistently grouped in 3 + 2. In other pieces, it can be the other way around and that’s part of the flexible fun of 5/4.

Figure 1—Mission Impossible Main Rhythmic Motif in 5/4 time.

7/4 is not as common as 5/4 throughout all genres but has some notable examples including "Solsbury Hill" by Peter Gabriel and the main riff in Pink Floyd’s "Money".

I recently collaborated with a frame drum artist and educator who uses the phrase ‘talking talking triangle’ to teach the rhythm of 7/4 on the frame drum. Often, spoken phrases or word patterns can help us visualize and hear the timing better. In this example, the beats are divided into two groups of 2 and 1 group of 3. There are more variations possible with 7/4 like: 

Figure 2 – 7/4 time described with phrase ‘ Talking Talking Triangle’.

You can also try: 

• 123 12 12
• 123 1234

The beat emphasis is on the ‘1’ in each group. Counting 7/4 in groups of 2, 3 or 4 also makes rehearsing easier than counting to 7 each time. Composers and drummers, more specifically, tend to experiment with the secondary beats depending what’s needed musically. In those cases, you would hear an emphasis on the ‘2’ or ‘3’ of the group rather than one.

5/8, 7/8 and more 

5/8 and 7/8 work in a similar way to 5/4 and 7/4, the main difference being the shift in time values of the notes. In 5/8 time, the 8^th note receives one beat, the quarter note 2 beats and so on. The same groupings explained above still apply. These time signatures are often mixed up with other compound meters. For example, a composer may center a composition around 6/8 or 9/8 but throw in an odd measure here or there to change things up or end a phrase differently. Radiohead has used many odd time and alternating signatures in their work. 7/8 is partly used in "Paranoid Android."

Compound Meter

Figure 3 – Measure in 12/8 time Divided into 4 groups of 3.

Compound Time or Compound Meter contain beats that divide into three equal parts. Compound meter is often called Triple meter with the most common being 3/8, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8. In orchestral music, conductors provide the pulse for each beat in slower compositions while in fast ones, only the first pulse of each beat group is emphasized. In other words, in a fast 3/8 piece, a conductor will show one beat per measure, 2 beats in 6/8, 3 beats in 9/8 and 4 beats in measure in 12/8. Theoretically, compound time could also be described as simple meter (4/4 or 3/4) with triplets, although this would disrupt conducting patterns when the tempo changes. Regardless, compound meters have a swing that simple meters just don’t have, containing a flexibility in feel and timing that is quite different from simple meters. In a DAW, composers and producers can set up a special metronome for compound meters that emphasize the first of each group of three with a stronger accent then the secondary beats while writing.

Famous pieces and styles in Compound Meter include Baroque dances, Irish jigs and other folk dances from many cultures often in 6/8. "Für Elise" by Beethoven is one of the most famous pieces in 3/8. Check out recordings of Debussy’s "Clair de Lune" and Bach’s "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", both in 9/8 time. Also a great classic song from a Broadway Musical in 12/8 time is "Memory" from Cats.

Listen, Listen, Listen 

The best way to understand how these rhythms work is to listen to famous compositions written in these time signatures. Clap and count along to get a feel for how melody, rhythm and harmony intertwine. If you are not comfortable leaping into odd time signature or compound meter composition quite yet, listen to a lot of classical and popular music using different rhythmic approaches. Your research will be an inspiration for your current and future work. Go explore!