Ever wonder why Celtic music or the waltz feels different? Or why some bands play in a way the seems a little random? These are examples of how odd meters can be used. Most music is in 4/4 time, or four beats of four quarter notes per measure, also called common time, or just 4/4. Most music is in 4/4 because it has an even feel per measure and is slightly predictable and easy to dance to. Odd meter is a little different; odd meter is any time signature that is not 4/4 time. The waltz is in 3/4 time, meaning there are 3 beats per measure and the quarter note gets the beat. This gives it that 1 – 2 – 3 – 1 – 2 – 3 feel. Other odd meters include 6/8, 5/8, 3/8, 5/4, 6/4, 7/4, and basically any other combination. It really gets tricky when different meters are combined. Let’s go over the 3 popular meters, 3/4, 6/8, and 7/8.
The waltz is played in 3/4 time. There are three quarter notes per measure; 3/4 time will be the easiest time signature to play, other than 4/4. You can play 3 quarter notes per measure, a half note and a quarter note, or just stick to dotted half notes. Let’s look at an example on fretboard.
This example is in Gm and plays around the Gm arpeggio. You can see that if you add up the notes in each measure, they equal 3 beats per measure. Sometimes 3/4 time feels faster if you are used to playing in 4/4 time. Lacking that extra beat per measure makes it feel like the music is moving faster, but it is not. This is a pretty simple exercise to play. Every other note is a quarter or half note; no tricks in this one. If you want to jazz it up you can try playing two quarter notes for each half note.
Lets try 6/8 now. Here’s a 6/8 example. It's mostly based around eighth notes and Amaj. Music in 6/8 time uses a lot of eighth notes that run into quarter and dotted quarter notes; it's very jumpy and lively most of the time. When you count 6/8, you count to 6 in the rhythm of eighth notes, and 6/8 can be played over 4/4 time, meaning if you are playing in 6/8 and the guitar player is playing 4/4, you should meet up every 4 bars of 6/8 and every 3 bars of 4/4 time. Other odd meters, including 6/8, may be easier for you to feel instead of try to count while you are playing. Let’s take a peak at 7/8.
This 7/8 example is based around G harmonic minor, which is just like Gmin except that the 7th degree is the same as a major scale. Although 7/8 may seem like it just jumps to the next measure at times, this is because there are only 7 eighth notes in the measure as opposed to the 8 that are in 4/4 time. Make sure to listen to the examples of odd meter; they can be tricky sometimes. If you have any questions,
feel free to ask what’s going on in the forums.
Learn & Master Guitar
Read Review Visit WebsiteJamorama *Best Value!
Read Review Visit WebsiteNext Level Guitar
Read Review Visit Website