Chapter IV
Mastering Odd Time
Signatures
Will discusses techniques he developed to acquire freedom and
control while improvising over odd time signatures.
Mastering Odd Time Signatures - Overview Ch. 4, pg.40
Mastering
Odd Time
Signatures
Will believes that general solution to mastering odd time
“To be confident in 5, signatures is straightforward - treat odd time signatures as
you would treat the 4/4 meter. In other words, the same
replicate the comfort of
musical ideas we use to naturally play over 4/4 can also be
playing in 4.” used to familiarize oneself to odd time.
When playing in 4/4, there is a natural tendency to want to
want to syncopate your lines or play over the bar. In the same
vein, one should strive to carry your lines over the bar in
5/4, 7/4, or any other odd meter. So, you can try to create
phrases at first that do so and repeat them over various
chord progressions or just a static chord alongside a
metronome or rhyhthm backing track. An excellent trick
to become comfortable in 5 is to divide the meter into
two even halfs of 2.5 beats (two quarter notes and one
eight note.) This way, you can start hearing lines that
flow through the 5/4 bar instead forcing phrases into either
the 3 beat portion of the bar or the ladder 2 beat portion.
Another great trick is to create and seek out various clavé
patterns just as one would create various rhythmic figures
to play in 4/4. The more rhythmic patterns you are familiar
with, the more you will be become comfortable with playing
over odd time signatures in general. Again, treat odd time
signatures as you would 4/4 and eventually it will become
natural. Also, don’t forget to listen to a lot of odd meter
music because it will help you hear your ideas in odd time.
Elite Music Mentor
Odd Time Signatures Break Down: Part I Ch. 4, pg.41
Mastering
Odd Time
Signatures
ODD TIME SIGNATURES
BREAK DOWN: PART I
• Listen to a lot of music in odd time signatures to get used
to the feel
• Analyze Take 5 to understand a common rhythmic figure
• Compound time signature, first is in 3 and then 2
• 5 is hard because it’s short, divided into unequal parts that
happen quickly and as a result the phrases can feel stunted
• Demonstration of
o chord progression in 5 with compound
feel
• Playing a phrase in 3 and phrase in 2
• We need to get used to playing like we do in 4 so it’s not
stunted like this
• Make up different clavés
• You will start to feel more comfortable in 5/4 like you are
in 4/4
• 2 first then 3
No transcriptions for this section.
Elite Music Mentor
Odd Time Signatures Breakdown: Part I - Homework Ch. 4, pg.42
Mastering
Odd Time
Signatures
ODD TIME SIGNATURES
BREAK DOWN: PART I
• Choose a popular standard and practice playing the
melody in 5/4
• Create phrases that take advantage of the feel created by
dividing the bars of 5 into two equal halfs
• Search for clavés and make up your own to use in your
lines
ASK YOUR MENTOR
Interact with other users on the website and ask questions!
Our mentors will answer all your questions and help you
through your musical journey. The best student will be
selected each month to recieve one free masterclass of
their choice.
Elite Music Mentor
Odd Time Signatures Breakdown: Part II Ch. 4, pg.43
Mastering
Odd Time
Signatures
ODD TIME SIGNATURES
BREAK DOWN: PART II
• To feel comfortable in 5, replicate the comfort of 4 by
dividing 5 into two equal parts (2.5 beats + 2.5)
• Clap like this over Take 5
• . Sing improvised lines over this clavé
No transcriptions or homework for this section.
Elite Music Mentor
Odd Time Signatures Breakdown: Part III Ch. 4, pg.44
Mastering
Odd Time
Signatures
ODD TIME SIGNATURES
BREAK DOWN: PART III
• Add anticipation to add some lightness to your playing
• Demonstration on piano of 3.5 beats + 3.5 beats clavé
over 7/4
• Anticipate vocally over 7 to feel comfortable, every other
clap will lay on the beat
• Expand your rhythmic vocabulary just as you would in 4/4
Refer to the next section for homework.
Elite Music Mentor
Odd Time Signatures Breakdown: Part III - Homework Ch. 4, pg.45
Mastering
Odd Time
Signatures
ODD TIME SIGNATURES
BREAK DOWN: PART III
• Choose a popular standard and practice playing the
melody in 7/4
• Create phrases that take advantage of the feel created by
dividing the bars of 7 into two equal halves
• Search for clavés and make up your own to use in your
lines
• Using the next page,
pa write down some ideas over this
standard in both 5/4 and 7/4 that you’d like to use in
the future
ASK YOUR MENTOR
Interact with other users on the website and ask questions!
Our mentors will answer all your questions and help you
through your musical journey. The best student will be
selected each month to recieve one free masterclass of
their choice.
Elite Music Mentor
Odd Time Signatures Breakdown - Homework Ch. 4, pg.46
Odd Time Signatures Breakdown - Create
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