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The original 1966 score of "Mission impossible" was written entirely in 5/4 time (you can listen to it here).

For the first movie staring Tom Cruise, the theme was rewritten by two U2 band members, and after the initial theme (still in 5/4) it changes it time signature to 4/4, you can listen to it here.

Now I am listening this cover version of Paolo Sereno as played by Sungha Jung. And here the intro is also in 5/4, but when the melody starts (around 16s, see this link) he also seems to switch the time signature, but it does not seem to be 4/4, I guess its 6/4 but I am not sure? So can you hear what time signature he plays when the melody starts in?

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    My ears are hearing a bit of a stumble in the tempo. Is it possible it's just a goof-up in the playing? Commented Jan 22, 2018 at 13:55

2 Answers 2

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No, it continues in 5/4. With a couple of little glitches, but supposed to be still in 5/4. There's no distinct rhythm change, just tiny fluffs. Still incredible for one of tender years, though !

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    Exactly right; the performer loses the tempo when the melodic line enters, but it's still 5/4.
    – Richard
    Commented Jan 22, 2018 at 17:57
  • For me, it's easier to count it as 10/8 so that the strong beats are on 1 if you count 123 123 12 12 ...
    – empty
    Commented Jan 26, 2018 at 22:40
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I agree that this is more 10/8 than 5/4: ONE two three ONE two three one-two one-two ONE two three ONE two three one-two one-two

and I would say the same of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five." To me a true 5/4 would be one two ONE two three one two ONE two three

or

one two three ONE two one two three ONE two

both of which feel very jaggedy compared to 10/8.

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  • Isn’t that a normal case of syncopation. By your rule a lot of 4/4 pop music would need to be Written as 8/8. Commented Nov 16, 2021 at 12:13
  • Doesn't "Take Five" go ONE-and TWO-and THREE-and FOUR-and FIVE-and throughout? Even the opening vamp keeps the TWO-and THREE-and instead of going ONE-and two-AND three-and.
    – Dekkadeci
    Commented Nov 16, 2021 at 12:25

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