When composing a piece in 7/8, is it musically or mathematically "wrong" to do beam groupings as 3+4/8 as opposed to 4+3/8? Or would it be best to just group all 7 beams together, assuming all the notes are eighth notes.

Also, when in 5/8 time, is it "wrong" to group it in 2+3/8 as opposed to 3+2/8?

I've been experimenting with 7/8 for some time and it has become one of my signature time signatures. ( Pun intended... :P :sweatdrop: ) However, I'm finding that 5/8 is much more hassle to compose in...

I guess the human mind has been thinking in duple and triple meter for too long to expect it to suddenly listen to 5 or 7 beats per measure easily...

I've noticed that adding substantial rubato to a piece seems to cover up these seemingly blemished time signatures. :)

They are complex time signator. It's "not wrong" to group them up whatever 2+3/8 or 3+2/8.

its correct to group 7/8 as 4+3 or 3+4, just try to keep the same tructures throughtout or it can be a bit messy, in my experience examiners dont like you switching between the two

It is generally correct to group irregular metre signtures such as 7/8 and 5/8 like that. I personally would reccomend grouping 5/8 as 1 2 3 4 5. However, I would disagree on your 7/8 grouping. Even though i never learned to play, sing, or compose anything in 7/8, i would reccommend 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.

You have the right idea with 7/8. It can even be split into 2-3-2. as long as you keep it in groups of 2,3 or 4 it's okay.

Ureshii, I wouldn't suggest grouping things that way because it's next to impossible to sing or say it like that, let alone play it. Music is never divided into just one so it doesn't work to have a beat just added on at the end. Try playing or singing a 7/8 song and you will understand.

So because these time signatures are so irregular and can be subdivided into so many different groupings, it doesn't matter as long as I keep away from groupings of 1 and stay consistent...? :) Great, it sounds like I've been following that rule pretty well.

Thanks for the advice/feedback. :D

eeeeeewwwww. I just realized that mistake... I ment to say 1 2 3 4 5 6 7...........

Most ~/8 form are divided into 2s and 3s, the most common being 3+2+2. I personally prefer 10/8 (3+3+2+2) like in "Clocks" by Coldplay, but I'm just weird like that... :mellow:

It doesn't matter what you do. It really depends on the way the notes are going. If they're going up and then down, then you should group the ups and downs together.