Counting Odd-Time The Easy Way

Looking to impress your friends and loved ones by counting 13/8 without hyperventilating? Let quarter notes do the heavy lifting! I’ve discovered an effortless way to calculate & count popular odd-time signatures and I’m excited to share my technique with you.

First things first, let’s review how quarter notes interact with odd-time. When counting, let’s say, 5/8 time, we typically gravitate to counting the eighth notes as, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5.” Easy enough…until you’re trying to keep up with an upbeat tempo; it doesn’t take long to lose your breath. Even thinking the count, non-verbally, can get out of hand. So let’s work smarter, not harder and count 5/8 via quarter notes. In doing so, you’ll be reciting, “1, 2, 3” before quickly going back to the “1” on the upbeat. It’s a little hard to explain in words, so the following SoundCloud link will help you hear the proper cadence. The audio begins with a metronome counting in eighth notes, followed by examples where various drums, percussion, and bass are working in both eighth notes and quarter notes.

With one time signature taken care of, we can discuss my super-secret formula. It’s very simple, and very easy, to both understand and remember. I’m going to say the most common odd-time signatures are 5/8 through 13/8 (okay, maybe not 13/8, but it’s impressive to show off to your friends). Starting with 5/8, we know there are 3 quarter notes, right? What happens when you count 4 quarter notes before quickly jumping back to the beginning? You’re counting none other than 7/8 time. And when you count 5 quarter notes, you’re working in 9/8 time. The million dollar question: Did you catch the pattern? By increasing the quarter note count by one, you’re moving to the next odd-numbered odd-time signature. 3, 4, and 5 quarter notes returned a count of 5, 7, and 9 eighth notes. And there it is, folks. My odd-time magic trick!

The following chart does a much better job of explaining this relationship.

And here is an example of a song I wrote shortly after having this mathematical epiphany. It’s mostly in 11/8 time with a break in 7/8. As you play the song, try counting to 11 using the eighth-note method first. Then try counting in quarter notes. And finally, try alternating between the two.

Once you’ve mastered the technique of counting odd-time the easy way; via quarter notes, I guarantee you’ll find yourself incorporating a lot more odd-time into your compositions. I can’t wait to hear your next Dream Theater-inspired masterpiece in 17/8 time. Please be sure to share it with me. I’m am, no doubt, an odd-time junkie!