In our last lesson we
discussed the basic concepts pertaining to time signatures. There are several additional concepts that
extend beyond what was covered last time.
Today we will take the time to discuss these concepts and obtain a more
thorough understanding of time signatures.
Common Time
The most common time signature found in music is
4/4. Because it is so common, the other
name we use as an abbreviation is common time (they mean the same thing). The symbol used to indicate common time is a
C in the place where the time signature normally is.
Other Base 4 Time Signatures
As we mentioned in part 1, a time signature can have any number on the
top. The most common top numbers in a
base 4 time signature (beside 4) are 2 and 3. However,
more complex types of music may use other numbers (ex: Take Five – from
the Dave Brubeck Quartet). In these
cases it is important to remember that the quarter note gets one beat (and the
other rhythms are counted accordingly).
The top number dictates the number of beats found in each measure, so a
song in 5/4 would be counted 1-2-3-4-5 / 1-2-3-4-5. This type of counting may feel more awkward
since it is less common. However,
repeated use will cause a performer to become familiarized with these uncommon
time signatures.
Cut Time
Another time signature that uses the symbol of a C is cut time. Here the C is marked with a slash to indicate
that it is cut. This is an abbreviation
for 2/2 since each number of common time has been cut in half.
If we understand how to simplify fractions, then we realize that 4/4 and
2/2 are mathematically equivalent to each other. So, why do we have cut time? Why not just use common time? When we are keeping the beat to a fast song
in common time, we reach a point at which it becomes difficult to tap or clap
any faster. At this point, it is easier
to tap every other beat (1 & 3) instead of every beat. When we do this, we are really tapping 2
beats per measure and giving the half note a value of one beat. This results in the creation of cut time.
Other Base 2 Time Signatures
The same rules apply in base 2 time signatures as far as the top number
is concerned (any number can occur). The
most common number is 2 due to our need for cut time (as described in the last
slide). Any other time signature can be
adequately covered in base 4. However,
other base 2 time signatures can occur in theory. In these cases, simply count the number of
beats per measure indicated by the top number, remembering that the half note
receives one beat.
6/8 Time
6/8 time is actually very similar to 3/4. Both of these time signatures contain 6
eighth notes per measure. However, they
group the eighth notes differently. In
3/4, the eighth notes occur as 3 groups of two.
In 6/8, they occur as 2 groups of three.
Because of this, 6/8 can also be view as a triplet form of 2/4 time.
6/8 In 2
Since 6/8 time contains 2 groups of 3, performers may count only the 1st and 4th
beat when the tempo gets faster. The
reason for this type of counting application is similar to the use of cut time
explained earlier. We call this “counting in 2” (it’s like a triplet version of 2/4).
Other Base 8 Time Signatures
Since base 8 time is like a triplet form of
base 4, most other base 8 time
signatures contain top numbers that are multiples of 3 (3/8, 9/8, 12/8…). However, other top number can occur in base 8
time signatures (in theory). In these
cases, simply count the number of beats per measure indicated by the top
number, remembering that the eighth note receives one beat.
Mixed Meter
Another complex occurrence in music is the existence of
multiple time signatures within a piece.
This is called mixed meter. Mixed
meter usually exists in a regularly occurring pattern that fits into a larger
meter. For example, a repeating pattern
of two measures of 2/4 and one measure of 3/4 may be used as a replacement for
an overall pattern of 7/4. Mixed meter
can also occur with random changes, however this is less common. Music is usually composed of patterns. The more random a piece of music is, the more
difficult it becomes for the listener to follow.
This
Learning Music With Ray video is a continuation of our lesson on time
signatures. In it, I discuss
special cases such as common time, cut time and 6/8 time. I explain the reason for the creation of
these cases and the relation of cut time and 6/8 time to other time
signatures. I also discuss more
challenging time signatures (such as 5/4 and 7/4). Finally, I cover the topic of mixed meter
(having multiple time signatures).
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