Odd meter refers to groupings of beats that differ from common time signatures such as 4/4 and 3/4, or to the meter changing partway through a song. It lets you build rhythms with a distinctive count, such as 5/4 and 7/8.
The basic idea
5/4 is easier to count if you feel it as 3+2 or 2+3, and 7/8 as 2+2+3, dividing the bar into smaller groups. Rather than looking only at the numbers, it matters to grasp where the accents fall.
Its role in writing and performing
Odd meter creates the tension of not going the way you expect, along with a distinctive drive. It is not only for progressive music; you can also use it in one short section to give a phrase some character.
How to try it in a DAW
Set the project time signature to 5/4 or 7/8 and start by checking the downbeat of each bar with just a kick. Before you add detailed phrases, get to the point where you can count the groupings by clapping.
How it differs from related terms
Odd meter means changing how the beats in a bar are grouped. Polyrhythm is a different term, referring to layering different divisions within the same span of time.
Even when it sounds complicated, it becomes manageable once you break it into small groups. Try starting with a one-bar pattern.
