Time signatures

[tonyo]

In case you weren't aware, time signatures in music are fractional representations of how much music is actually in the song. For example 3/4 time signature means the song is 75% music. 9/8 is really special, 113% music. 4/4 is the standard, 100% music.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

2/4 is half-fast.

[dnf777]

I have a basic understanding of time signatures, but really think they are false constructs. (Just like the music scales). They are both continuous spectrum of infinite points. Our 8 notes or 4/4 beats is arbitrary.

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by dnf777

I have a basic understanding of time signatures, but really think they are false constructs. (Just like the music scales). They are both continuous spectrum of infinite points. Our 8 notes or 4/4 beats is arbitrary.

I like tonyo’s explanation better….


whm

[ctgagnon]

Originally Posted by tonyo

In case you weren't aware, time signatures in music are fractional representations of how much music is actually in the song. For example 3/4 time signature means the song is 75% music. 9/8 is really special, 113% music. 4/4 is the standard, 100% music.

6/8 is also 75% music. It just gets to the end of the song faster.

[YamahaGuy]

3/4 is my Kryptonite. Oddly, 6/8 is my second favorite, while the drummer in my primary band loves it.

[bufflehead]

Originally Posted by YamahaGuy

3/4 is my Kryptonite. Oddly, 6/8 is my second favorite, while the drummer in my primary band loves it.

Ah yes, the difference between a waltz and a stampede.

[sford52]

I tend to play in m/n, where m and n are numbers greater than 0 but variable within a song. If a couple measures are 3/4 and a couple more or 5/4 than the result is 4/4. "Metronome" is just the misspelling of a sports arena in Minnesota.

[DethWshBkr]

Originally Posted by tonyo

In case you weren't aware, time signatures in music are fractional representations of how much music is actually in the song. For example 3/4 time signature means the song is 75% music. 9/8 is really special, 113% music. 4/4 is the standard, 100% music.

Ok, since I'm in the United States, and we have to do everything different....

We measure everything in inches, feet, etc....the rest of the world uses metric.

Well, 3/4 (3/4"?)....we Americans should convert that to the metric music system.
3/4 is 19.05 time. 4/4 is 25.4 time.
It's stupid, but why not.

[12barBill]

Originally Posted by ctgagnon

6/8 is also 75% music. It just gets to the end of the song faster.

And in 12/8 you are still playing after the song is over.

[The Bard Rocks]

Originally Posted by DethWshBkr

Ok, since I'm in the United States, and we have to do everything different....

We measure everything in inches, feet, etc....the rest of the world uses metric.

Well, 3/4 (3/4"?)....we Americans should convert that to the metric music system.
3/4 is 19.05 time. 4/4 is 25.4 time.
It's stupid, but why not.

Your figures are off. In metric time, there are 10 seconds in a minute, 10 minutes in an hour, 10 hours in a day, 10 days in a month, and 10 months in a year. I am 2430 years old now.

[Jamolay]

[sinistral]

Originally Posted by Jamolay

Reminds me of Birds of Fire, which can be thought of as being in 18/8, with the the guitar lick starting out emphasizing 5 | 5 | 5 | 3, other instruments layering on in 9 | 9, and finally Bill Cobham joining in in 6 | 6 | 6, which gives the song a swirling effect.

[Dave Anthony]

Originally Posted by Jamolay

Shouldn't the 1st time signature be 23/16?

10 16th notes = 10 beats
1 dotted 8th note = 3 beats
3 8th notes = 6 beats
1 quarter note = 4 beats

10 + 3 + 6 + 4 = 23

What am I missing here?

[rstaight]

Originally Posted by The Bard Rocks

Your figures are off. In metric time, there are 10 seconds in a minute, 10 minutes in an hour, 10 hours in a day, 10 days in a month, and 10 months in a year. I am 2430 years old now.

Some times I feel like 2525