# Musicians and the 'four-count' heads up **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 5, 2003, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-and-the-four-count-heads-up/186320 "2003-07-05T00:43:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-and-the-four-count-heads-up/186320/41 "2003-07-06T18:44:35Z")
GuanoLad I thought the expression “Take 5” was musicians’ slang for take a break. (presumably 5 minutes ?) Another expression (though not as common) is “Take Ten”. So, whatever, the reason for naming “Take 5”, I doubt it is because the song is in 5/4 time. ---
**Author:** ![Dryga\_Yes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@Dryga\_Yes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dryga_Yes)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-and-the-four-count-heads-up/186320/42 "2003-07-06T18:59:03Z")
I like the count-off in Joy Division’s Warsaw. THREE FIVE OH ONE TWO FIVE GO! ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-and-the-four-count-heads-up/186320/43 "2003-07-07T00:43:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by wolf\_meister \* > …So, whatever, the reason for naming “Take 5”, I doubt it is because the song is in 5/4 time. Yeah, I always figured that was a pun. It’s kind of relaxing muzak in style, but it also has an unusual time signature. From [here:](http://www.louisvillescene.com/music/features/2003/20030216jazz.html) > [@](#): > > Although most people immediately think of “Take Five” when Brubeck’s name is mentioned, he didn’t compose that particular piece. It was written by Desmond primarily as a showcase for Morello, who was fascinated by “odd” time signatures such as 5/4, from which the tune derived its name. ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Fescue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/49beb7/32.png) [@Hank\_Fescue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Fescue)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-and-the-four-count-heads-up/186320/44 "2003-07-07T01:01:37Z")
I am notorious for changing the tempo of songs live. Not a problem solo but when playing with the guys they insist on an accurate count. Sometimes you hear only two, three, four, which seems the same as one, two, three to me but my drummer insist it is not the same and confuses him. I had the idea of counting off nine, three, six, five but they didn’t like that idea either.😛 ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-and-the-four-count-heads-up/186320/45 "2003-07-07T01:13:03Z")
So when I do my air drumming, I should be thinking of **1** 2 3 4, **1** 2 3 4, **1** 2 3 4? ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-and-the-four-count-heads-up/186320/46 "2003-07-07T03:39:14Z")
Oh, and do any of these reasons apply to the Ramones? Ever hear their live recordings? “Strum, crash” “1234!!” “Crash, strum” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-and-the-four-count-heads-up/186320.md?page=2)