Songs that use 10/4 time

Whether or not you consider it an odd time signature, 10/4 time is certainly an interesting and less often used meter. Today we'll take a look at some songs that use this unusual time signature and get a sense of what it sounds and feels like.

And, an extra special thanks goes to Douglas Lind, Vidad Flowers, Ivan Pang, Waylon Fairbanks, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇

[John_Fugazzi]

Closing each video with an original composition that demonstrates what has just been discussed was a great and highly enjoyable innovation.

[sovka]

Everything in its right place is such an amazing track. For more than 20 years there is no other song that sounds like this.

[brain-thomas]

Your original composition is beautiful. I'm surprised that no one mentioned that you seem to be the only person who is able to play three-handed 😊

[weepingscorpion]

With the way these are incrementing, soon we'll be at 13/16 and finally Brad Fiedel's theme to The Terminator will be featured! :) Great video.

[robster]

Always enjoy these segments, David. Taking examples from actual songs really cements the concept, both visually and aurally. Thank you!

[piguy]

When I saw 10/4, the first thing that came to mind was the verses of “Heat of the Moment” by Asia, which have a 3-3-4 feel

[Fjorim]

I really liked the mellotron song at the end. Reminded me of some of the more psychedelic Pink Floyd from the early years :)

[WaitingForTheHook]

David and using Radiohead as an example : Name a more iconic duo.

[elxicoplayboi]

The Grudge by Tool is an amazing song in 10/4. Very underated.

[peterskye]

Tarkus by Emerson, Lake, and Palmer has sections that seem to be in 10/ 8. The sections are subdivided into a 4:3:3 pattern.

[Lellos_]

Just Like You Imagined is so underrated, great picks and great video!

[kath_nanaya]

Here We Are from the Undertale soundtrack is one of my favorite 10/4 songs! it uses a 3-3-2-2 pattern, and stretches out the bars of Alphys' 3/4 motif to take up all 10 beats, kinda hiding the motif under a much slower, ambient feel. also the percussion's just cool lol

[haydenmarkham-ball]

Down and Out by Genesis is also in 10/4. I have found the easiest way to think about this is one bar of 7/4, and then two bars of 3/8, as there are two quick triplets at the end, which would otherwise occur on the downbeat of 8 and the '+' of beat 9, so breaking it up this way would make it so much easier to subdivide.

[dopey]

I adore Just Like You Imagined, one of NIN's best instrumental tracks!

[nuke]

Love how you finished the video with a composition of your own reflecting the topic discussed. Good send off.

[TheGudih]

Absolutely love these odd time signatures videos, please continue bringing more examples!

[megaohmaudio]

I have never seen the transparent/ghost hands before like you did at the end with the Mellotron.
Kinda brilliant!
It makes it easy to see the keys and fingering.
I really love it!

[Stephen_Lafferty]

Another excellent video essay! You communicate complex ideas so effectively - it is a lesson to other educators, as well as to students of this knowledge! Thank you for your continued hard work!

[aydenkaszas]

Loving these videos about odd time signatures. This was always something that really interested me in music.

[battleframestudios]

That composition at the end was hauntingly beautiful.