Why aren't songs with 11 beats 13 beats, common?

Question

I wonder why haven't I heard songs that have 13 beats or 11 beats (or may be 17 beats or other complex number) per measure. Are there any songs like that and why don't people and music directors create songs like that? Is there any rules not to create songs like that, or they don't want songs to be too complex? I have heard songs up to 7 beats though.

Answer 1

Hi there!

The main reason is how the phrases are split up within the measure/how the rhythm is felt with each measure. If something is felt in 13, then it's will probably be either written as 13/8, or will be split in half depending on how the music is suppose to feel ( 5/4 + 3/8).