Guthrie Govan’s Fives in 5/4 Time Explained for Prog‑Fusion Guitarists

Most guitarists stumble when faced with odd-time signatures, but Guthrie Govan’s “Fives” turns 5/4 into a grooving, melodic playground. For prog-fusion players, tackling this track means more than just counting bars—it's about unlocking the feel, phrasing, and modal subtlety that Govan brings to the table. Here’s the thing: 'Fives' isn’t just technical fireworks. It’s a masterclass in melding one of rock’s trickiest time signatures with flowing legato, active muting, and nuanced modal colors.

This guide breaks down everything prog-fusion guitarists crave—what gear and skills you'll need, a walkthrough of the main riff and its modal moves, and the techniques Govan uses to make 5/4 actually swing. By the end, players will have both the tools and confidence to bring “Fives” to life, plus practical exercises for mastery.

What You Need to Play Guthrie Govan’s ‘Fives’ in 5/4

Before attempting “Fives,” it’s worth setting up the right foundation. Not just gear—a guitarist’s mindset and toolset. Guthrie Govan’s signature sound comes from a blend of technique, control, and the right instrument setup.

Gear and Setup for Fusion Clarity

Fusion tones demand clarity. Govan’s setup is famously precise. Here’s the breakdown:

• Guitar: Well-set-up electric, low action preferred, excellent intonation. Models like Suhr Modern and Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature are commonly used, but any instrument that’s easy to play with clean articulation will work.
• Fret-wrap: A simple fretwrap or string dampener helps kill unwanted string noise, especially during left-hand legato runs or tapping. Place it near the nut.
• Amp Settings: Govan’s amp tone is articulate but not harsh. Look for mid-gain, clear settings (gain around 3-4, treble 6, mids 6, bass 4). Govan prefers amps like Victory V30, Cornford, or Fractal Axe-FX with subtle delay for space.
• Effects: Light compression for legato, subtle delay/reverb, low noise gate if needed.

Every detail matters here. A muddy amp or stray string noise can destroy the intricate phrasing demanded by “Fives.”

Understanding 5/4 Time: The Foundation

The 5/4 time signature means there are five quarter-note beats in each bar. It’s not as intimidating as it looks—think of it like tacking a quick extra beat onto a standard 4/4 measure. In "Fives," this extra pulse creates that signature off-balance feel, but once you hear it a few times, you’ll start to internalize the groove. Most players break 5/4 into groups—2 + 3 or 3 + 2 beats. Try clapping or tapping this subdivision. Feels surprisingly natural after a while.

Guthrie Govan exploits the 5/4 meter by phrasing not just against the “one,” but using all five counts for motif development. For guitarists, being comfortable hearing and feeling odd times is non-negotiable—rhythmic placement and phrase length totally shift.

Prerequisite Skills for Tackling "Fives"

• Legato technique: Practice smooth hammer-ons and pull-offs across strings, focusing on minimal tension and finger independence.
• Hybrid Picking: Essential for clarity in rapid passages, allowing you to pick and pluck different strings cleanly.
• Muting techniques: Use both hands—fret hand for damping stray strings, picking hand for palm-muting where needed.

Active muting and hybrid picking go hand-in-hand for fusion clarity. The skill set is demanding, but nothing’s out of reach with focused practice and the right setup.

Step-by-Step: Breaking Down Guthrie Govan’s ‘Fives’ in 5/4

This is the heart of the lesson. “Fives” isn’t about just learning a riff—it’s about understanding a phrasing language built on groove, melody, and technical control. The real trick is internalizing that 5/4 groove and hearing how Govan turns it into a flowing, almost singable melody line.

Counting and Feeling 5/4: Rhythmic Mnemonics

There’s more to 5/4 than just counting five beats. Govan himself suggests focusing on the “shape” of the bar. One effective technique is using rhythmic mnemonics. Say “Hip-po-pot-a-mus” aloud—five syllables, one for each beat. This instantly anchors the bar length without dry counting. Others use “pine-app-le ba-na-na.” Try tapping this phrase while listening to the actual track. Counting is a fallback, not the endgame—true fluency comes from feeling where motifs start and resolve inside each bar.

Global Guitar Network recommends overlaying 5-note groups on sixteenth-note grids, superimposing patterns over the beat. This aids in learning to accent different beats, not always the first. Govan’s phrasing often flips accents around—he’ll start or finish a run mid-bar for tension and release. Start slow, try accenting different notes in a five-note group yourself.

Main Riff Walkthrough: Notes, Fingers, and Feel

The main riff is iconic—instantly Govan. While the tab for “Fives” is available in authorized packages, here’s a phrase-by-phrase description:

• Start on the B string, 12th fret (B note), hammer-on to 14th, pull-off to 12th, slide to 10th. Use index and ring fingers for economy.
• Next, move up the G string: 11th to 12th fret, pull-off back to 11th, then 9th, leveraging Govan’s signature legato flow. Minimal picking here—let the left hand do heavy lifting.
• Add hybrid picking: Strike the B string with the pick, pluck next note with the middle finger, keeping each note distinct and clean.

Practice the riff at half speed. Focus isn’t speed—it's fluidity and clean note separation. Use interactive tab or slow-downer tools to zone in on finger position and timing. Listen for where phrases end: not always on the downbeat, and that’s by design. Try clapping or stomping the five-beat pulse beneath your playing.

Modal and Chromatic Nuance: Govan’s Note Choices

Guthrie’s melodic choices combine modal structures with chromatic color. The backbone is usually B Dorian or B minor pentatonic. But what gives “Fives” its fusion flavor is the sneaky chromatic passing tones and occasional jumps “outside” for dramatic effect. Here’s what to watch for:

• Start with Dorian mode licks: B–C#–D–E–F#–G#–A. The natural 6th (G# in B) lends a jazzier, blues-inflected sound.
• Pentatonic framework: B–D–E–F#–A. These notes facilitate easy hammer-ons/pull-offs.
• Chromatic color: Adding C, D#, F, G, etc., for slickening transitions. Don’t be afraid to experiment—drops of chromaticism in the right spot give “Fives” its edge.

Phrase development is key. Try playing a pentatonic lick, then sneak in a chromatic note between two scale tones. Listen for how it pulls attention. The modal backbone keeps things grounded, while chromaticism keeps it modern and unpredictable.

For deeper immersion, check out JTC Guitar’s 5/4 licks collection, which explores these frameworks and provides interactive tabs to practice with. It’s not just the what, it’s the how—timing, articulation, dynamics—all matter as much as note choice.

Mastering Fusion Techniques in ‘Fives’: Legato, Muting, and Hybrid Picking

“Fives” demands a technical toolkit that goes far beyond standard picking. Govan’s style is a showcase of advanced left-hand legato, pinpoint muting, and hybrid picking—all working together to deliver that smooth, percussive fusion texture.

Left-Hand-Only Legato: Strength and Efficiency

Guthrie’s left-hand-only legato lines sound effortless, but they demand real strength, especially from the index and ring fingers. The technique: hammer-ons and pull-offs with enough force for clean note separation—no pick involved. Tips:

• Practice slow “hammer-pulls” on every string. Start with three-note-per-string patterns, aiming for even volume per note.
• Keep the thumb relaxed behind the neck. Tension is the enemy here; if your hand tightens up, back off and reset.
• Use a fret-wrap close to the nut for extra dampening—minimizes sympathetic string noise and cleans up runs instantly.
• Try acoustic practice once in a while. If you can get clear legato lines unplugged, plugged-in tone will be even stronger.

Active Muting: Keeping Fusion Lines Clean

Stray string noise ruins fusion clarity fast. Govan’s method: the picking hand’s side/heel mutes the lower (bass) strings while fretting-hand spare fingers dampen any ringing on the higher strings. Here’s an exercise:

• Play a legato lick on the D string while touching the adjacent G string lightly with your index finger side.
• Rest your pick hand’s palm lightly on the lower E and A strings as you play. Adjust pressure so the note sounds but unwanted strings stay silent.
• Listen for buzz or overtone bleed; tweak your grip or muting hand angle as needed.

Active muting is a habit, not a one-off adjustment. Every fast run or tapped note is an opportunity to mute—don’t skip it.

Hybrid Picking: Precision and Dynamics

Hybrid picking gets a lot done. It frees up phrases, lets you jump between strings, and adds dynamic attack. Govan often uses the pick for downstrokes, then middle/ring fingers for plucking adjacent strings. Commonly in fusion passages, this means:

• Economy picking a run, then hybrid-picking a high-string accent for clarity.
• Sharp attack on one note, rolling quickly into a legato pull-off or slide.
• Dampening unused strings with unused pick-hand digits as you move.

Try this now: Play a five-note lick, pick the first and fourth notes, pluck the rest with hybrid technique. Adjust finger choice to match the string skip. Always listen for note definition and the “pop” that only hybrid attack gives.

For advanced technique breakdowns—including muting and hybrid picking—check Guitar World’s Guthrie Govan licks guide for actual lick notation and professional video lessons.

Troubleshooting Common Challenges in ‘Fives’ for Prog-Fusion Guitarists

Everyone hits roadblocks learning “Fives.” The good news? Every challenge has a proven workaround. These solutions help both technically and musically.

Internalizing Odd-Time: Beyond Counting

Odd meters like 5/4 intimidate at first—most get stuck counting. Govan’s solution: stop living on the metronome. Listen, loop a backing track, and focus on accent and phrase start points instead of counting every beat. One method: record yourself speaking the phrase “hip-po-pot-a-mus” in rhythm, then play over that as a loop. Try singing the phrase as you improvise to internalize bar length. Once the meter feels natural, odd time stops feeling “odd.”

Legato Fatigue and Tension: Solutions

Hand cramps? That’s common during long legato runs. The fix:

• Short, repeated drills focusing on just 2-3 notes per string.
• Lower action on your guitar and a light touch help save energy.
• Use a fret wrap for less sympathetic noise; this means less effort spent muting.
• If fatigue sets in, rest, stretch, and reset. Volume should come from finger strength, not squeezing the neck.

Cleaning Up Unwanted String Noise

The enemy of fusion: ringing strings. Recap on muting: both hands at work, fret fingers handle higher strings and open-string noise while the picking hand rests on bass strings. If you hear random notes popping out mid-point, slow down and focus on where your hands are during transitions. Don’t rush, nail it clean at low speed, then ramp up.

The best advance here is patience—and willingness to grind through slow repetition. Fusion’s technical challenges reward that kind of attention.

Conclusion

“Fives” by Guthrie Govan challenges and inspires prog-fusion guitarists at every level. Taming its 5/4 time signature unlocks not just a technical exercise, but a fresh musical vocabulary. With the right gear, foundational legato, advanced muting, and a real sense for rhythm, the piece transforms from intimidating to addictive. The trick isn’t in endless counting—it’s internalizing the groove, exploring modal shading, and treating each lick as a miniature story. Players ready to take these lessons to their own compositions will find odd-meter fusion deepens their phrasing and creativity. So grab that fret wrap, fire up a backing track, and let 'Fives' jumpstart your odd-time journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What time signature is Fives by Guthrie Govan?

“Fives” by Guthrie Govan is written in 5/4 time signature. This means each bar has five quarter-note beats, creating the song's distinctive, off-kilter groove that's a signature of progressive fusion.

Q How do you count 5/4 in guitar riffs?

Count 5/4 by dividing the bar into five equal beats—often grouped as 3+2 or 2+3. Mnemonics like “Hip-po-pot-a-mus” can help internalize the groove. Over time, it's best to feel the pulse rather than count mechanically.

Q What are common prog fusion songs in 5/4 time?

Besides Guthrie Govan’s “Fives,” other 5/4 prog-fusion songs include Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five,” Animals as Leaders’ “Tooth and Claw,” and some tracks from Dream Theater's catalog. These use 5/4 to create unique rhythmic feels.

Q What techniques are essential for playing Guthrie Govan’s 'Fives'?

Playing 'Fives' requires strong legato, hybrid picking for articulation, rhythmic intuition in 5/4 time, and active muting with both hands to keep lines clean and defined—even at fast tempos.

Q Why does Guthrie Govan use chromatic notes in 'Fives'?

Guthrie Govan uses chromatic notes to add tension and color, moving beyond traditional modal scales. This makes his lines sound modern, unexpected, and uniquely expressive in the fusion context.