Episode 40: Real Book Inspired | Autumn Leaves - 7/8 | Odd Meter Music |...

Ep 40: 11-25-19 Finding inspiration in a random page of a Real Book -'Autumn Leaves' 1st 8 bars in 7/8, by Joseph Kosma. Today's pick was not random, it was one of the first jazz songs I learned in high school, which I never did like playing. So to get back at my teacher.... here's my version. Keepin' it ODD - BetzzzzE

Episode 39: Real Book Inspired | Waterwings - 5/4 | Odd Meter Music | Sp...

Ep 39: 11-21-19 Finding inspiration in a random page of a Real Book -'Waterwings' Section A in 5/4, by Dave Grusin as played by Lee Ritenour. These 'Real Book Inspired' exercises are uncomfortably stretching/challenging my writing/genre boundaries .... odd-enough, BetZe

Episode 38: Real Book Inspired | Speak No Evil - 11/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 38: 11-8-19 Finding inspiration in a random page of a Real Book - 'Speak No Evil' Section A in 11/8, by Wayne Shorter. This one was a tricky one for me... Keepin' it ODD - BetZe

Episode 37: Real Book Inspired | Farmer's Market - 7/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 37: 10-29-19 Finding inspiration in a random page of a Real Book - 'Farmer's Market' 1st 4 bars in 7/8, by Art Farmer and lyrics by Annie Ross. Keepin' it ODD - BetZe13

Happy Day of the Grateful Dead - in 10/4 'Playing in the Band'

Happy Day of the Dead - Celebrate in a true 10/4!
I rediscovered this song the other day when I was cleaning out my garage and forced myself to listen to the cassette tapes I purchased for 10 cents each at a thrift shop. Here in Vegas it Spring cleaning in the fall which lasts a week. No longer 116 F but 89 F and now 50 F.
Anyways, enjoy this one as you honor your ancestors, especially the one who kept it ODD. -BetZe

Halloween Movie Theme (1978) - in 5/4

This classic never gets old for the season - creepily in 5/4. -BetZee

Episode 36: Real Book Inspired | Promenade - 9/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 36: 10-26-19 Finding inspiration in a random page of a Real Book - 'Promenade' Section A in 9/8, by Denny Zeitlin. This song is Jazz noodling at its finest, awaking those chord scale memories... These older Jazz artists really thought in a unique way, seeing and feeling another reality that is a stranger to me. But zombie soul snatchers are not a stranger to me, and his score for the classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1978 convinced me big band instrumentation and jazz piano can too indicate that the end is near if I don't run and hide. - BetZe

Episode 35: Real Book Inspired | Bird Food - 13/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 35: 10-25-19 Finding inspiration in a random page of a Real Book -'Bird Food' in 13/8, by Ornette Coleman. I think he was in another dimension when writing this one... or maybe all of his.. Just could handle the first few bars of this one, actually to be exact; the first 6 bars of section A. Keepin' it ODD, Betzzzzee

Episode 34: Real Book Inspired | Don't Go To Strangers - 13/8 | Speed Composition

Ep 34: 10-23-19 Finding inspiration in a random page of a Real Book 'Don't Go To Strangers' in 13/8, music by Arthur Kent and Dave Mason, Lyric by Redd Evans. Keepin' those writin' muscles busy... Most likely I wouldn't choose this song on purpose, but pretty cool to oddenate. Until the next episode, Keep it ODD, BetZzzzze

Episode 33: Real Book Inspired | The Goodbye Look - 7/8 | Odd Meter Music

Ep 32: 10-22-19 Finding inspiration in a random page of a Real Book - Intro + 1st section of Donald Fagan's 'The Goodbye Look' in 7/8. His vocal phrasing is uniquely odd, so this was an interesting song to oddenate - pretty tricky... Keepin' it ODD - BetZe

Episode 32: Real Book Inspired | Save Your Love For Me - 5/4 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 32: 10-19-19 Finding inspiration in a random page of a Real Book - Intro + 1st 3 bars of 'Save Your Love For Me' in 5/4 by Buddy Johnson, as played by Cannonball Adderly and Nancy Wilson.
Keepin' it ODD, BetZzzz

Episode 31: Real Book Inspired | Simple Samba - 9/8 (3222) | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 31: 10-15-19 Random Page of a Real Book - First 22 Bars of 'Simple Samba' by Jim Hall in 9/8 (3222). 2-5-1 turn-around city here... used as inspiration, not doing a version of it ... and... Apparently this is my Real Real Book - Legal... Shows I haven't opened it in a while.
Keepin' it ODD, BetZe13

Episode 30: Fake Book Inspired | I Thought About You - 11/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 30: 10-13-19 Random Page of a Fake Book - First Four Bars of 'I Thought of You' in 11/8 (3332). I used the chord changes for 'inspiration' and they are; Fmaj7, Bb9 (#11), A7, D7(#5), G9, Ab13, G9.

Berklee Days inspired - I attended Berklee College of Music from 87-91(right after high school) and earned a BA in Professional Music. They were not big on time signatures at the time and worshiped the 4/4 bebop... Miles, Coltrane etc...no Don Ellis insight, actually I learn of him way after school. Anyways, this is how I am going to re-experience this genre in a new dimension... My chord scale for arranging chops are way rusty, but not for long... Keepin' it ODD, BetZe13

Episode 29: Oriental Scale in 12/8 (23223) | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 29: 10-12-19 Oriental Scale in the key of F and in 12/8 (23223) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Oriental scale is structured R -2 3 4 -5 -6 -7, F Gb A Bb B Db Eb.
Keepin' it ODD, BetZe13

Episode 28: Japanese Hyojo in 5/4 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 28: 10-11-19 Japanese Hyojo Scale in the key of A# and in 5/4 and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Japanese Hyojo scale is structured R -2 3 4 5 6 -7, A# C C# D# F G G#. This was a tricky one for me, took almost 2 hours... brought me back to my Berklee jazz days... although that was always in 4 (but that's another story).
Until Manana, BetZzzee

Episode 27: Purvi Raga in 14/8 (232232) | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 27: 10-9-19 Purvi Raga Scale in the key of C and in 14/8 (232232) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Purvi Raga scale is structured R -2 3 4 -5 5 -6 7, C Db E F Gb G Ab. This scale is close to the Chromatic and can be Bluesy too. Oddly -BetZe

Happy 10/8 - 2323 - The Number 23 Soundtrack: Nine Horses, 'The Banality of Evil'

Finally saw this movie a couple weeks back... hum obsessing about a number... I can sort of relate... but in a way different direction, as in music as 2s and 3s. In 1940 the esteemed numerologist Hettie Templeton wrote "All is vibration, proportion, number and we are ruled, influenced and impressed by such. Number is a living force; it is proportion or form." Numbers have the power to open doorways to consciousness as this movie so darkly illustrates. For the outro song, Nine Horses wrote 'The Banality of Evil' in 10/8 in the 2323 form, coincidence??? Hummmm, BetZzzz

Episode 26: Raga Todi Scale in 8/8 (233) | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 26: 10-7-19 Todi Raga Scale in the key of B and in 8/8 (233) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Todi Raga scale is structured R -2 -3 +4 -6 7, B C D E# (F) G A#.
Oddly, BetZzzz

Episode 25: Arabian Major Scale in 7/4 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 25: 10-5-19 Arabian Major Scale in the key of E and in 7/4 and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Arabian Major scale is structured R 2 3 4 -5 -6 -7, E F# G# A A# (Bb) C D. Sometimes you want to go to the gym, sometimes you don't, but it always pays off, somehow....
Oddly, BetZe13

Episode 24: Augmented Scale in 5/4 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Episode 24: 10-4-19 Augmented Scale in the key of D and in 5/4 and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Augmented scale is structured R +2 3 4 +5 6 7, D E# (F) F# G A# B C#. Sometimes you like it, sometimes you don't.
Oddly yours, BetZZeeee

Episode 23: Brazilian Scale in 19/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 23: 10-3-19 Brazilian Scale in the key of F# and in 19/8 (32322322) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Brazilian scale is structured R 2 3 +4 5 6 -7, F# G# A# B# (C) C# D# E. Writing in 19 is pretty tricky...
Oddly again,
BetZZZZ

Episode 22: Marva Raga Scale in 15/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 22: 10-2-19 Marva Raga Scale in the key of G# and in 15/8 (332232) and was recorded on FL studio, with stock sounds. The Marva Raga scale is structured R -2 3 4 -5 6 7, G# A C C# D F G.
Oddly, BetZe13

Episode 21 Hindustan Scale in 12/8 (32232) | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 21: 10-1-19 Hindustan Scale in the key of C# and in 12/8 (32232) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Hindustan scale is structured R 2 3 4 5 -6 -7, C# D# E# F# G# A B;
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13

JINJER - Pisces (Live Session) 7/8, 12/8

In Cyril Scott's book 'Music Its Secret Influence Throughout the Ages' he discusses the roll of dissonance and its esoteric use. He explains: "It is fact that intense and continued passional emotions especially mob-emotions, create a variety of thought-forms in the lower of the unseen planes, and that these thought-forms endure for a number of years, until destroyed by some specific agency." (p135)

Scott goes on to explain, "For it is an occult musical fact that discord (used in its moral sense) can alone be destroyed by discord, the reason for this being that the vibrations of intrinsically beautiful music are too rarefied to touch the comparatively coarse vibrations of all that pertains to a much lower plane. No more that a mass of slime in a stagnant pool can be affected by the blue haze of a summer's morn, can those turgid thought-forms be affected by the strains of purely concordant music." (p136)

All music has its place and purpose, and I can see that part of Jinjer's purpose is divine. Whether you, they or anyone else can see it, I do believe Jinjer is one of these specific agencies. A specific prescription is needed and they are one of the remedies, clearing up a certain matrix type of lurking dark energy. Can't put my finger on exactly what kind but, I can see the dense miasmic vapor moving in a swirl being lured by her voice, then shocked out of this reality. Most true purposes are hidden... anyways...

Jinjer is from the Ukraine and therefore by default have odd meter in their blood. This is one of my favorites from them which uses 7/8 in the verse, 12/8 chorus and various triple meters variations and 7/8 through out.

Break up the Four,
BetZe13

Episode 20: Chromatic Scale in 13/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 20: 9-30-19 Chromatic Scale in the key of A and in 13/8 (32332) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Chromatic scale is structured with all the notes half steps from Root to Octave.
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13

Episode 19: Raga Hanumat Todi in 10/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 19: 9-29-19 Raga Hanumat Todi scale in the key of D# and in 10/8 (2323) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The real Raga Hanumat Todi scale uses quarter tones, but this is its Western version: essentially the Phrygian scale: R -2 -3 4 5 -6 -7 D# E F# G# A# B C#.
Keep it ODD,
BetZe13

Episode 18: Balinese in 9/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 18: 9-28-19 Javanese Scale in the key of G and in 9/8 (2322) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Balinese Scale is structured: R -2 -3 5 6 , G Ab Bb D Eb.
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13

Episode 17: Javanese Scale in 17/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep 17: 9-24-19 Javanese Scale in the key of F and in 17/8 (3232232) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Javanese Scale is structured: R -2 -3 4 5 6 -7, F Gb Ab Bb C D Eb.
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13

Episode 16: Locrian Mode in 5/4 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

High Altitude Edition: 9-24-19, Ep16 Locrian Mode in the key of B and in
9/8 (2232) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The
Chinese Scale is structured: R -2 -3 4 -5 -6 -7, B C D E F G A.
This was written on a flight to from back East to almost west coast.....
no matta how high...
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13

Episode 15: Lydian Mode in 9/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

High Altitude Edition: 9-20-19, Ep15 Lydian Mode in the key of F and in 9/8 (2232) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The  Chinese Scale is structured: R 2 3 +4 5 6 7, F G A B C D E.
This was written on a packed red-eye flight to Boston -
Oddnessly Highly Yours, BetZe13

The Mixed Meters of Native American Healing Songs

In the majority of cultures, music's first purpose was healing. Usually sung with minimal instrumentation with directed healing intent and in partnership with nature or the 'supernatural'. In the early part of the 20th century Frances Densmore, whose life's work was to preserve the music of the Natives (American, Canadian, South American), in one study, took wax field recordings of 197 Native American songs for the sick from 14 tribes. She found that out of 197 recordings 88 percent had irregular rhythms. 

"...a change of accent, or irregular rhythm, in many Indian songs for the sick. A tabulation of these 197, from 14 localities, shows that such a change occurs in 179, or about 88 per cent of the number."

(The Use of Music by American Indians, Frances Densmore. 'Music and Medicine' 1948 Schullian)

Clues from the past - Natives not clouded with technology, for the most part lived in harmony with nature, and its rhythm is not always in 4/4. We are living so far out of nature, 4/4 music is just a symptom of it. Perhaps we need our own healing songs....

Most likely, you will never know how far the legacy of your work reaches and what purposes it will serve - so I am appreciative of Ms. Densmore for preserving this audio proof and musical origins.

The Photos are of: Frances Densmore recording Mountain Chief - Blackfoot Tribe (from Wikipedia), Chippewa healing song in 5/4 or 3/4 + 2/4, and excerpt from Music and Medicine, Schuller, 1948.

 

For healing sake...

Keep it ODD, 

BetZe13

Episode 14: Chinese Scale in 11/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Today 9-19-19, Ep14 Chinese Scale in the key of A# and in 11/8 and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Chinese Scale is structured: R 3 +4 5 7, A# C# E F A. Playing with the Short Synth section - Writing with randomly chosen keys, scales/modes and time signatures to helps stretch the creative muscles - no judgement zone....(still happens though).
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13

Episode 13: Aeolian Mode in 7/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Today 9-18-19, Ep13: Aeolian Mode in the key of C# and in 7/8 and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Aeolian Mode is structured the same as the regular minor scale: R 2 -3 4 5 -6 -7, C# D# E F# G# A B. Playing with the sequencing section - Writing with randomly chosen keys, scales/modes and time signatures to helps stretch the creative muscles - no judgement zone....(yah right).

Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13
Odd Time Obsessed

Episode 12: Neopolitan Minor in 11/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Today 9-16-19, Ep12 - Neopolitan Minor Scale in the key of E and in 11/8 and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Neopolitan Minor scale is structured R -2 -3 4 5 -6 7, E F G A B C D#. The Good, the bad and the ugly - Writing with randomly chosen keys, scales/modes and time signatures to helps stretch the creative muscles - no judgement zone.... ha...
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13
Odd Time Obsessed

Episode 11: Japanese Oshikicho in 5/4 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Today 9-14-19, Ep11 - Japanese Oshikicho Mode in the key of C and in 5/4 and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Japanese Oshikicho scale is structured R 2 -3 4 5 6 -7, C D Eb F G A Bb.
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13
Odd Time Obsessed

Episode 10: Locrian 13/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Ep10: Today 9-13-19, I celebrate this lucky day, Friday the 13th with the Locrian Mode in the key of D# and ... and... yes I picked it by random...in 13/8 (23323) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Locrian Mode is structured R -2 -3 4 -5 -6 -7, D# E F# G # A B C#.
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13
Odd Time Obsessed

Episode 9: Hungarian Gypsy Persian in 19/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Today 9-12-19, Ep9 - Hungarian Gypsy Persian Mode in the key of B and in 19/8 (22232332) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Hungarian Gypsy Persian scale is structured R -2 3 4 5 -6 7, B C D# E F# G A#. This is the first time I have written in 19/8 - it was challenging - so under an hour, doubled...
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13
Odd Time Obsessed

Episode 8: Roumanian Minor in 10/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Today 9-10-19, Ep8 Speed Composition - Roumanian Minor in the key of A and in 10/8 (3322) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. Roumanian Minor scale is structured R 2 -3 +4 5 6 -7, A B C D# E F# G.

Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13
Odd Time Obsessed

Episode 7: Byzantine Scale in 17/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Today 9-9-19, Ep7 - Byzantine Scale in F# in 17/8 (3332222) and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. Byzantine scale is structured R -2 3 4 5 -6 7, F# G A# B C# D F(E#). It's mystic charms me every time.
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13
Odd Time Obsessed

Episode 6: Egyptian Scale in 9/8 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Today 9-8-19, in the 6th episode of daily speed composition, the Egyptian Scale in the Key of G was experimented with 9/8 meter subdivided 3222 and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. The Egyptian scale is structured R 2 4 5 -7, G A C D F.
Writing with randomly chosen keys, scales/modes and time signatures to helps increase the creative muscles. On a regular basis, composing a riff, a diddy or piece of music in under an hour (goal), helps your editing self to get out of the way, and let the unexplored avenues of your psyche flow.
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13
Odd Time Obsessed

Episode 5: Jewish Adonai Malakh Scale in 8 (323) | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Today 9-7-19, in the 5th episode of daily speed composition, the Jewish Adonai Malakh Scale in the Key of B was experimented with an additive 8 meter subdivided 323 and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds.
Adonai Malakh translates to 'God is King' and is taken from Psalm 93 which is used primarily in Jewish Sabbath music. The scale is structured R -2 +2 -3 4 5 -6 -7, B C C# D E F# G A . It is mystical in character, and holds secrets to the uninitiated. Writing with randomly chosen keys, scales/modes and time signatures to helps increase the creative muscles.
On a regular basis, composing a riff, a diddy or piece of music in under an hour (goal), helps your editing self to get out of the way, and let the unexplored avenues of your psyche flow.
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13
Odd Time Obsessed

Episode 4: Phrygian Mode in 10/8 subdivided 3232 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

The fourth episode of the Daily Practice Speed Composition.
Writing with randomly chosen keys, scales/modes and time signatures to compose a riff, diddy or piece of music in under an hour (goal), for the purpose of exercising the composing muscles - not necessarily Masterpiece making.....
Today 9-6-19, the Phrygian Mode in the Key of F# in 10/8 subdivided 3232 was the lucky combination. The scale is structured R -2 -3 4- 5 -6 -7, F# G A B C# D E , and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds.
Phyrgianly Yours,
BetZe13
Odd Time Obsessed

Episode 3: Enigmatic Scale in 14 subdivided 32333 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

The third episode of the Daily Practice Speed Composition
Writing with randomly chosen keys, scales/modes and time signatures to compose a riff, diddy or piece of music in under an hour (goal), for the purpose of exercising the composing muscles - not necessarily Masterpiece making.....
Today 9-5-19, the Enigmatic Scale in the Key of G# in 14/8 subdivided 32333 was the lucky combination. The scale is structured R 2 -2 3 +4 +5 +6 7, G# A C D E F# G, and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. And for two days in a row, 2 new meters...
Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13
Odd Time Obsessed

Episode 2: Asavari Raga Scale in 12/8 22323 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Second episode of the Daily Practice Speed Composition
Writing with randomly chosen keys, scales/modes and time signatures to compose a riff, diddy or piece of music in under an hour, for the purpose of exercising the composing muscles - not necessarily Masterpiece making.....

Today 9-4-19 the Asavari Raga Scale in the Key of D in 12/8 divisive 22323 was the lucky combination. The scale is structured R 2 4 5 -6, D E G A Bb, and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds. My first time writing in this meter.....

Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13
Odd Time Obsessed

Episode 1: Augmented 6-Tone Scale in 15/4 | Odd Meter Music | Speed Composition

Keeping up with the writing chops ...
First episode of the Daily Practice Speed Composition
Writing with randomly chosen keys, scales/modes and time signatures to compose a riff, diddy or piece of music in under an hour, for the purpose of exercising the composing muscles - not necessarily Masterpiece making.....

Today 9-3-19 the Augmented 6-Tone Scale in the Key of A in 15/4 was the lucky combination. The scale is structured R +2 3 5 +5 7, A C C# E F G#, and was recorded on FL Studio, with stock sounds Breakbeat drums, Hausbass NUC and Slayer Bass Pug.

Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13
Odd Time Obsessed