In most music, we’re working with 4/4 time. I mean, it’s simple, nice, easy to follow, what’s not to love about it?
But where things can get interesting is when we experiment with time signatures outside of 4/4.
We’ll start normal, and we’ll slowly get to the insane.
(Just note, I won’t explore every possible time signatures, just whatever ones I know from the music I’m most aware of or like to listen to!)
These are very simple. At the VERY LEAST, you should be able to work with all of these.
First up’s 3/4, where we’ll see Shostakovich – Suite for Variety Orchestra No. 1 - VII. Waltz II
https://youtu.be/7UIHl0oJEpg?si=bP8eBYyjYzOHR8sL
Y’know, there’s many theories about 3. Some thought there’s a divine balance behind it, because a triangle (trinity) is 3 sides, and it just seems perfect like that. Past-Present-Future, Birth-Life-Death. It just seems like 3 is natural, and the Waltz style is very much built around that. Well, I’m mostly talking nonsense, but it’s just something to think about.
There’s also 6/8, which, at first, you might think: “Isn’t that just 3/4?”
Well, no. I’m actually not sure how to explain the difference, but let me tell ya, 6/8 is not 3/4.
Ever heard this song?
https://youtu.be/FP808MiJUcM?si=dedin7CqG8oMOxGW
Yeah, of course you have, it’s a bit overused in school events and I kinda hate it for that reason.