Time Signatures: Everything You Need to Know

[@timmysixxstrings]

This is an amazing lesson. I've been playing guitar for 25 years, mostly using only 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8. This lesson has my mind racing with new possibilities and new ideas for songwriting. Thank you so much!!

[@BradHarrison]

So glad you enjoyed! Yeah, exploring other time feels is really fun and cool. And, pro tip, even really “weird” time signatures like 10/8 or 7/8 can feel really natural and easy to follow if they have a regular repeating pattern. I’m often surprised how non-musicians can groove out to something relatively complex if there’s a pattern to grab on to.

[@timmysixxstrings]

@@BradHarrison Thank you! I will definitely have to look into those times as well. Excellent teaching!!

[@timmysixxstrings]

​@BradHarrison Songs like Led Zeppelins "Black Dog" have some amazing time changes, yet it seems to blend so smoothly, to your point.

[@samuelg.5685]

1

[@NeraKitsune]

Man your videos are so high quality. Thank you for making such a byzantine world a little less confusing.

[@BradHarrison]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed!

[@AlecShernAPS]

I'm nearly 27 now and play casually each summer in a community band. Your videos have helped me reinforce and re-learn the topics I have forgotten about since high school. Thanks!

[@fiakyono]

As a beginner, i could not understand the Time Signatures and counts. I finally understand especially because you played songs to going the the notes. I have watched a lot of videos and read books but you have help me understand. I can now increase my playing Thank you so much for your instruction and video,

[@explodingmicrowave.4816]

tbh idk why our band teacher doesnt show this to us, this is 10x more simple than we get taught, and so much more easy to understand!

[@BradHarrison]

So glad it made sense for you! Honestly, sometimes “simple” concepts are the hardest to explain. One of the reasons my videos take so long to make is because of this.

[@Coffeesleep125]

Ive been learning so quickly with these videos. This one’s gonna take awhile though.

[@BradHarrison]

Some of those time signatures take a big if getting used to. But I find the theory is way more difficult than the application. When you live with them for a while, listen, count, and practice pieces in those time signatures, they tend to get into your brain easily enough. Many students of mine have melted their brain learning about 6/8 for the first time, but then we play a few exercises and they realize it’s not so hard.

[@timmysixxstrings]

I will have to watch this video over and over as I only understand the basic time signatures. However, this presents a great opportunity for me to learn and stretch my abilities. Wonderfully put together video. Thanks again!

[@anakinsworld8344]

Thanks fellow trumpeter and if I ever become a beginner band teacher, I will show this

[@imdamanization]

damn this is so useful, It's insane how much this video changed my mind about time signatures lol

[@Haakhin]

This is an amazing resource, quite informative. Thanks for making this video :)

[@Ciarnap]

Thank you, your videos have been amazing! I am an adult relearning stuff I already kinda knew but never learnt in a way which sticks (I am studying music in uni and passed my music theory class but forgot it all straight away after! trying to do my abrsm grade 5 now for my singing grades and most learning stuff is all aimed mostly at children and does not work well for adults... your content is great for both!

[@jeremiahsumalbag6693]

6:39 i remember playing that piece in band last year

[@Scrolte6174]

LOL

[@hiflyerpigeonandhobbies2565]

Helpful delivery, thank you.

[@SynIMPFML666]

Bass player. Tool, and meshuggah are my go tos

[@williamsanborn9195]

When I was taught how to count in 6/8 (or any other compound meter), I was always taught to count the strong pulses, or dotted quarter notes. So instead of counting 1 2 3 4 5 6, I’d count 1 + a 2 + a. I’m not saying counting the eighth notes doesn’t work because it does. I’m just saying that’s how I was taught.

[@BradHarrison]

Yep! That totally works too!

[@andymorris6128]

Incredibly helpful, thanks!

[@funny_colandertv5352]

C vs C with line on preview really bited me to see the video!

[@northernpianomusic]

Nice. Thank you. Will be adding this video to my music theory class.

[@BradHarrison]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hyperseah]

I needed this video 2 years ago. I was so confused then.

[@Arbigale]

Bradd = KZbin Conservatory❤❤❤ awesome as always

[@glennlittle7955]

Best explanation I've seen. Well done, this is top notch. (Although you do seem to have some distain for 5/4. I've just written probably my best song using it.)

[@BradHarrison]

Glad you enjoyed! 5/4 is just fine! I don’t have anything against it. One of my favorite tunes is Hang On by Lake Street Dive. It’s in 5.

[@theatomicwolf2975]

i have exam in one and a half week, u are gonna safe me💪🏿💪🏿

[@JasmineGautavai]

I feel u my exams r tomorrow 😢

[@theatomicwolf2975]

@@JasmineGautavai aight, goodluck!

[@theatomicwolf2975]

Quick update...i failed ...today im gonna hear i have to redo this year...

[@JasmineGautavai]

@@theatomicwolf2975 that sucks but I hope u pass ur exams in the near future

[@JasmineGautavai]

@@theatomicwolf2975 and thank you 😁

[@kartheesh6913]

Glad your back, what took you so long?

[@BradHarrison]

The videos take a real long time to make. I could do it a bit faster if I only did this but I also have a career as a performer and educator aside from KZbin. Gigs and lessons take up time!

[@kartheesh6913]

@@BradHarrison Ah i understand man, im surprised by how good your content truly is, keep it up!

[@officialkensonmusicworld1246]

Well Said Sir❤​@@BradHarrison

[@Xenusgod]

Thank you!

[@hasinaramaroson3734]

Your video is very helpful, thanks

[@PunmasterSTP]

Time signatures? More like "Terrific lectures!" 👍

[@BradHarrison]

Lmao. Gotta respect the commitment to the bit. ;-)

[@PunmasterSTP]

@@BradHarrison Thanks! Just let me know if you ever want to hear a pun on a particular topic.

[@BradHarrison]

@PunmasterSTP topic? More like top pick!

[@PunmasterSTP]

@@BradHarrison I'm glad you responded with a pun this...time.

[@SKYLER1617]

I recently joined ban and I play the euphonium aka the baritone and Im having some trouble learning to play it, and my leader for low bass told me to see videos for key and time signatures and he also gave me a music book I forgot the title

[@SKYLER1617]

I don't really get this music thing tbh, it's so new to me 😅

[@BradHarrison]

I hope the videos have been helpful! Sounds like you might benefit from lessons. I teach online if you’re not able to find some local. You can get in touch at www.bradharrison.ca/lessons

[@Ozone280]

As a 67 year old who's teaching himself to read music, I just don't get it - at all. I've never got it, and I'm no nearer getting it after your video than I was before. Time signatures are a total mystery to me, and I fear will remain so.

[@BradHarrison]

Where are you getting lost? Are you comfortable with simple rhythms in 4/4? If not, that’s the place to start(check my two early videos on rhythms). If so, watch the video again, pause and review when necessary. Also maybe consider getting some lessons to talk it through with a teacher? Either someone local to you or I’d be happy to meet up online if you like. This stuff can be tricky at first but I’ve found it really is “gettable”. If you want to, you can do this.

[@BradHarrison]

Rhythms: The Fundamentals kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHusk5lqo7J6abs

[@BradHarrison]

Eighth Notes, Triplets, & Sixteenths: Everything You Need to Know kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGeUnKalgqiYqsU

[@ElpepeEtesech-bl3hl]

*CHAOS and PANDEMONIUM enterd the chat*

[@TheRamblingSoul]

I'm starting to learn piano. What order should I watch these videos in? The playlists seem incomplete

[@BradHarrison]

Not sure what play list you're looking at but this is the bigger one: kzbin.info/aero/PLDaNGknQ_wTh3eXyjB0smdEYSvqa-wJ1_ I just moved the order of some things to hopefully make them a bit more sequential. But this stuff is all connected, and people often learn it in a different order, so feel free to jump around to serve your own needs.

[@xokaizson]

Have a 2 questions what are your thoughts on ai music ? Or you a fan of it? And also was wondering if classic music can you help sleep better ?

[@BradHarrison]

So far, it seems that AI art has mostly been a novelty of limited utility. It can serve a purpose, and may continue to in the future, but I don’t think people are ready to find it terribly compelling just yet. But it’s only getting better, so we’ll have to see how things pan out in the future. Fall asleep to whatever you like! Everyone is going to have different preferences in that regard.

[@GtrCpa8397]

The other aspect of time signatures that was not mentioned: the musical phrase. Which time signature best assists the musical sentence structure can be seen in the examples shown. Strange time signatures break the flow of music - unless that's the objective . . . to create an odd feel.

[@BradHarrison]

I guess that’s kind of implied by the notion of music “feeling” like it’s in 3 or 4, as discussed and demonstrated in the video. I sometimes do an exercise with students where you count in 3 over a piece that’s in 4, and vice versa, but cut it from here for time and clarity. As far as strange time signatures, I find many audience can lock into a groove if it’s regular, even if musicians find it unfamiliar. I’ve heard big groups groove and sing along to 5/4 and 10/8 no problem.

[@ShienlanMiitsues]

Probably a rather dim question, but at 5:46 I see five notes within each of the horizontal dividing lines. Assuming that dividing line is a measure, I thought it was five eight. (5/8) Why wasn't this the case? How exactly can I 'count' accurately in this context?

[@BradHarrison]

One of those notes is a quarter note, worth two eight notes. Which is why ida 6/8. Hope that helps!

[@nswij123]

@@BradHarrison Ah thank you! That makes it easier to understand

[@luxferredesu3889]

hey brad, are the videos in your 'music theory playlist' arranged in order from beginner to more advanced?

[@BradHarrison]

More or less. You could definitely get into the weeds as fas as debating which goes first, but they’re roughly in the order I teach them in. And thanks for the reminder because I should update the playlist based on recent releases!

[@luxferredesu3889]

@@BradHarrison Do you by the way have a list (or recommended website) of music theory topics starting with the most basic going up in difficulty? also thanks man, your videos helped a lot!

[@BradHarrison]

I don’t, but that playlist is a good starting point. Also, learn songs and when you find something new, research it and see where it leads you. Once you’ve got the fundamentals down, the musical world is your oyster.

[@luxferredesu3889]

@@BradHarrison Alright, thanks again man!

[@youssefmostafa-o4p]

Please anyone who can help me and tell me about the name of the song that's used in 1:07 to explain the 3/4-time signature that has a diesis (sharp) I will really appreciate it because I was looking for this song for so long

[@BradHarrison]

Minuet in G by JS Bach. ;-)

[@youssefmostafa-o4p]

@@BradHarrison Thanks you have saved me I really appreciate it, God bless you

[@SteelersFan492]

11:05 5/4 time would work as well

[@a.bendang.walling8838]

🥵 it's hard, I love music so much but phew love it 👍

[@BradHarrison]

New time signatures can take some getting used to, but if you spend some time in each one and get into the groove, they’re really not too bad. It’s definitely a practical skill as much as a theoretical one.

[@a.bendang.walling8838]

Okay thank you 😊

[@harppsricprince]

Please what is the melody you played at 1:10 Thank you

[@BradHarrison]

Minuet in G, by JS Bach. A classic!

[@harppsricprince]

@@BradHarrison thank you ☺️

[@__________hugo]

Thanks

[@Xpertcard]

I should point out that 9/8 can be used also as an irregular time signature. For example, ONE two THREE four FIVE six SEVEN eight nine. Same for 15/8. In fact same for 6/8 and 12/8 and any other compound metre, but you will very very unlikely see 12/8 or 6/8 being used as irregular metres.

[@BradHarrison]

Fair point! I think you could make a good case for that. Though, if a pattern is repeated regularly enough, it starts to feel pretty regular, and then you have to get all philosophical about it.

[@Jonas-Seiler]

Time signatures have no musical meaning and are strictly a notational device. But for some of them it’s convenient to (incorrectly) say they represent a certain meter to simplify discussion.

[@BradHarrison]

The bottom number is notational(that was covered in the video). But a why would you say the top number doesn’t represent meter?

[@nvdawahyaify]

1 bar of 6/8 sounds identical to 2 bars of 3/4 to me. And I've been playing the guitar for 20 years and the tin whistle for 19. It may just be my autistic brain, but trying to count along has always been an issue for me, because I could count the same piece in different ways, just feeling the subdivision differently than other people.

[@BradHarrison]

You’re not wrong! The difference is that one bar of 6/8 is two strong beats that subdivide into three eights for each beat. To make it the same in 3/4, the tempo would have to be quite high, and you’d basically be thinking of it in 1, subdivided into 3. It would also look cluttered on the page because there would be twice as many bar lines.

[@sandrafrancis3631]

I was told 3/8 counts as simple time and is not really compound time because it's just 3 beats in a bar...?

[@BradHarrison]

You can make an argument either way, and it depends on context, but however you classify it doesn’t change how it works. Here’s a Reddit thread with some discussion on the topic. www.reddit.com/r/musictheory/s/60K8B2gSi0

[@sandrafrancis3631]

@BradHarrison Thanks for your reply. You're right it doesn't change how it works. It would only matter if you were taking a theory exam and you were asked a question about it and you gave the wrong answer according to them. I have taken some theory exams, I was told by one tutor that 3/8 doesn't count as compound time. She could have been wrong, for all I know? I'm in the UK so I don't know if that makes a difference? I will look into it, but it's not exactly a big deal music wise....your videos are very good and are very helpful! So thanks for that! 👍👏

[@BradHarrison]

I don’t think she was wrong; her reasoning sounds clear. But I group 3/8 in with 6/8, etc because of the order you usually learn things as far as theory and notation. And just remember, the only real rule in music theory is, do it the way your teacher taught you if you want the mark!

[@sandrafrancis3631]

@BradHarrison hi! I red the Reddit pros and cons. Seems more people go with technically it's simple, but, it could be seen as compound if it's in One and being divided by 3? That seems odd to me? I remember the thing about 3/8 is the same as 3/4 really, I can't see how 3/4 can be compound time? The thing of One beat in the bar seems very unusual to me? Wouldn't it still sound like 3/4? I think yes. I only really know music theory up to Grade 5 or so, so I'm no expert, but I think the tutor is right it's simple time, especially for exam purposes. Other than that, you could call it what you like!? 🤔 Thanks again! 😊

[@savannah3468]

Wow my mind can't take it

[@BradHarrison]

It’s a lot. Start with understanding one time signatures, live with it for a while, then add in a new one. Repeat.

[@bahmananvari9354]

Please speak slower- not in 6/8 but in 2/4😂

[@BradHarrison]

Feel free to pause at any time to digest the information or inspect the visuals! Or go back and watch a section or even the whole video again. Good luck!

[@bahmananvari9354]

Of course I can do that-that’s a given and we all know how to watch a clip. I just wanted to give you some feedback on your presentation. Unfortunately you do not seem to be open to it. Good luck with your videos.

[@BradHarrison]

Everyone is going to absorb this info at a different rate! It’s impossible to get it right for everyone. Sometimes I watch other videos that I have to really concentrate on and review diligently, other times I just want them to get on with it! Happy to have the feedback and engagement! I’ve gotten way more positive than negative and I know many people review and rewatch my videos. And if you’d like to set up a lesson to dig into anything at all, I do online lessons too. Cheers and have a fabulous day!

[@itz-_-arad]

​@@bahmananvari9354 not gonna lie, I have to disagree on it with you . I find the speed of these videos perfect. Anything slower would make it too slow for me. I back him up on this one, just go back and forth or speed the video down

[@Syphrilyn]

6/8 would actually be slower than 2/4

[@spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace]

how about time signatures where the bottom number is not a power or 2

[@BradHarrison]

Since the bottom aligns with a note value, what would that even mean? There’s no “third note” or “fifth note”. So in a traditional sense, that wouldn’t make any sense. There is however such a thing as irrational time signatures that use odd numbers in the bottom; they function as metric modulations. I’ll be covering those later but they’re not a huge priority because they’re incredibly rare. In the mean time, Adam Neely did a good video about them you might want to look up.

[@Tovosx2]

In the Adam Neely video I really like his explanation of it. Think of cutting a circle for example 4/4 the "circle" is cut into 4 For 9/12 (12 is on the bottom)it's cut into 12. This makes the signature to be triplet like so 9/12 is 9 triplets per measure. You could do this with any number but western notation doesn't have names for notes like that (For example 4/5) Feel free to correct me I watched the video about 8 months ago 😊

[@number-1-Saxman]

How can anyone be confused about time time signatures? You explanation is excellent.

[@BradHarrison]

It’s pretty common for beginners to get confused about them. Learning music and notation is hard for some people.

[@electro-soma]

Lots of people, me included and many others judging by the comments and number of videos on this topic to try and explain it. I still don't get it at all and have been trying for years.

[@BradHarrison]

@electro-soma Did you find this video helpful? If not, what’s the first thing that you stumbled on? Did you watch the first two videos in the series as a foundation?

[@electro-soma]

​@@BradHarrison Hi - Yes I watched the other videos. To be honest I found your delivery a little too fast, though I could slow down the playback speed! It's difficult to say what I stumbled on. I think it's a disconnect between real world examples and watching graphics on a video. It doesn't really hit home with me. I'm not sure. I have a hard time trying to interpret this into real world examples. I don't play any instruments as such. I have synths and drum machines and mainly upload EDM stuff. There's plenty of electronic music that isn't 4/4 so I'm just trying to understand how to apply that on a sequencer. Like many people I find music theory pretty baffling to be honest. There's something about it that is so imperceptible that makes it difficult to grasp. I've subscribed and will watch more.

[@BradHarrison]

@electro-soma it’s tough stuff and it’s impossible to nail the delivery speed for everyone. Feel free to pause or review when necessary! It also makes a lot more sense when you apply it to your own instrument and playing. I’m sure you can feel the difference between music in 3 and music in 4, right? If not, that’s the thing to start with. Hear and feel the strong pulse and cycles of 3 or 4. Count along. The rest of key signatures is just how it’s written. 6/8 and 6/4 sound the same but look different. If you’re not playing an instrument and reading, that difference just isn’t going to affect you much. Hope that helps!

[@k_ldrarik_ldrari2734]

Alguem legenda por favor!🙏 Br

[@alexanderchacha8585]

But you are so speed in explaining can't you explain slowly

[@blahblahgdp]

My face at 4:12 🤤

[@danag2841]

I’ve watched 10 different videos and still can’t understand it

[@BradHarrison]

What part? What’s the first place you get confused. Have you watched the first two parts of the series?

[@DNPlays634]

Same

[@DNPlays634]

Same

[@BradHarrison]

@DNPlays634 Same questions for you then! Where are you getting lost? Have you looked at the rest of the series? That foundation is crucial.

[@VitorSilva-in2sc]

Oh that's me😅, gotta get way slower ill try to start from the beginning and see if it works

[@isaacadmassu6515]

You are too fast

[@BradHarrison]

Feel free to go back and review any section that’s tricky! But really you figure this stuff out when you go a practice and dig into the music on your own. Any specific part you’re confused by?

[@wherxy]

@@BradHarrison As someone with 2 brothers having ADHD, and probably me too (haven't tested), I get confused and zone out way too easily, but somehow you make things make sense better than any teacher I've ever had. I found you recently with you circle of 5ths/4ths videos, and it helped out like nobody ever has before. idk how you do it man 🤣🥲