Counting in 5/4 time involves dividing five beats into each measure, where the quarter note gets one beat. The challenge in 5/4 is maintaining the steady flow of the rhythm while keeping track of all five beats.

So instead of counting 1 2 3 4 as in 4/4 time, you would count 1 2 3 4 5. Accent beat 1 to keep track of where you are. You can also use the word Hipopotimus since it has 5 sylables. You can also break it up to 3+2 or 2+3.

Use a metronome to get used to how it feels. Play a chord or note for each beat. Once that feels comfortable, try playing the the chord or note twice for each beat, which would be sixteenth notes. Then try playing triplets for each beat. Then try picking the chords. Then try different strumming patterns.

Look for an app on your phone for Rhythm Trainer. There are several out there and they will help you with getting your rhythm chops.

Inyo Soro also has a killer video series on Rhythm Exercises.

https://www.youtube.com/@musiclovers123

A few songs that use 5/4 time are:

River Man – Nick Drake
Hangin’ Tree – Queens of the Stone Age
Closure – Taylor Swift
Living in the Past – Jethro Tull
Take Five – Dave Brubeck
Mission Impossible – Lalo Schifrin

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