How to Identify Time Signatures by Ear [EXPLAINED]

Ok I’ll admit it, it took me a while to be able to identify Time Signatures by ear. So, to save you continuing to make confused facial expressions like I used to, here's my simple 3 Step Method to help you figure it out when listening to music yourself👂
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(Pt. 1) What Is A Time Signature? [EXPLAINED] (‪@CraftyMusicTips‬):
• What Is A Time Signatu...
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Thanks for watching!
#musictheory #readingmusic #musician

[@AggresivelyBenign]

You, sir, are a VERY good teacher. Thank you for sharing this 💕

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

Keep doing what ya doing. I am 53. And you have the magic of a good teacher. Besides being that amazing guitar player in a great band.

[@MayaGallagher-z9l]

thanks legend, I'm learning rhythmic dictation this helped a lot haha

[@pitpride1220]

This is great! I got a 100% I'm trying to get better at this. I have a lot of trouble figuring out Radiohead, RUSH and TOOL time signatures. Goals....

[@michagrill9432]

Well radioheads time signatures are all over the place 😂

[@slitz4581]

Look up Poly rhythms

[@MischabellaAdamyan]

This was absolutely fantastic and so incredibly helpful for my ADHD brain to comprehend and stay engaged. Loved the clear demonstrations, clear explanations, the way you tested our learnings and the fun editing. Thank you so so much 🙏🏽

[@JustLostInaWorld]

dude, im rooting for u, you've got great style & theme. thank you for the great explanation, it helped!

[@MSilbs]

Anyone else click their teeth to count beats 💀

[@hhh-ul2uu]

Yeah😂

[@XANF2]

Not everyone has teeth 😁

[@Sharp2006]

@@XANF2💀

[@andrewstephens9896]

@@Sharp2006RIP

[@fabriciosinoti7983]

I do. Im a drummer tho so its kinda easier lol

[@ronniescerri4111]

Thank you so much for this video man, it’s so simple and easy to understand with the way you explained it, I’m in my last year of school here in England and this video really helped as I need to understand this for some of my questions on my GCSE papers, and this method is so easy to understand so thanks a lot man!

[@cbfour4441]

I’m 45 years old and I’ve been playing music for 30 years. This is the best explanation/lesson I’ve ever heard on how to identify time signatures

[@Southeast_Asian_Devil]

It's soooooo easy to follow. Thanks a million, my friend

[@josephinebrown6631]

Thank you for your honesty🤍

[@assafarbell3694]

Is there a video explaning how to count complex time signetures?(let's say 7/8 changing to a 6/8)

[@leeonit286]

Are 3/4 &’ 6/4 relative or am I misunderstanding somewhere ?

[@CraftyMusicTips]

Good question. Kinda… 2 x 3/4 bars is relative to 1 bar of 6/4. 1 x 3/4 bar is relative to 1 x bar of 6/8, but 3 crotchets (quarter note counts) has a different “feel” to 6 quavers (eighth note counts). Hope that helps!

[@hollymonie4619]

Ayyyy loved this

[@joshua3304]

"everything's a fraction" 😂👌

[@jubiqphilasso7561]

What's the time signature at the beginning of a song named FUG by Cymande? It sounds like 4/4, but then it seems to change.

[@lainyjordan9684]

I listened to it 4 x6 times and finally heard the 4/4.

[@jesusr6000]

💀💀

[@kiiturii]

4/4 was the hardest for me too, had absolutely no clue on the first listen

[@gvprivate2411]

Sir, this was an amazing video. But I found myself just counting the strong which seemed easier to me than trying to count the notes in between. Is it incorrect to do?? Thank you, Gerry

[@CraftyMusicTips]

If you’re getting the correct answer then any variation is fine. If not, then revert to this method

[@Ellie.268]

OMG LUV THIS personally I hate music theory but this is Acc making my life easier especially since I have a theory exam in 4days

[@Maramyes]

Only tempo is varying,nots are sounding same,only you raise the tempo,we can't express in this in playing,may be we can write notations,bit sound same,if you have doubt write same notations in 7.4 and 7.8 ,and play it in same bpm,you you cannot identify both

[@ogxj6]

In your first example with the whole notes what’s stopping someone from counting any arbitrary amount between played notes? Couldn’t one just as easily count to 3 between each note you play?

[@CraftyMusicTips]

Yes good call, as I mentioned: time signatures are relative. In that particular example (because no other instruments are indicating any fractions in time), any number of counts/beats will work, as long as the whole note is divided evenly between each division. Hope that makes sense.

[@sobanosilva8585]

And your first sample was also 3/4 or 5/4 ot 7/8 or ...

[@poptart8690]

Finding the pulse would help using your example if you were in time…

[@CraftyMusicTips]

Guilty, yes being able to count perfectly in time in that example with no count-in indicator of tempo was tricky

[@alexandras.9398]

Wowwww thank uuu thank u thank u

[@musition9873]

Lol this video looks so old but it was only uploaded 11 months ago

[@Petticca]

@4:55 Oooh boy. So, uh. I frequently run KZbin videos at 1.25 speed, when the sound is entirely speech... I frequently run KZbin videos at .75 speed, sans volume, when it's a crochet design video by someone not speaking English. I fk with the god damned speed settings a fair amount. My brain absolutely didn't think about doing that if it's a video with music on it. If it's music in a weird time, and there's too much going on for me to figure it out, well, I rewind it over and over, and I get more and more frustrated at my level of suckage as I fail again. I usually give up and spend the evening contemplating the point of my existence. I can not believe that changing the play speed didn't occur to me, at all. JFC. The level of shame I feel. Because today I learned not only can I not listen to interesting music and count successfully, but I've also been an added level of unforgivably, embarrassingly dense... Well, it's that time of day where I philosophize on the notion that there may not be a bottom limit to the level of moronic a functioning human can reach...

[@cluek9780]

I run YT speech and most movies at 1.75x (straight viz @ 2x), but 2x garbles some quick words by skipping frames. Research has shown humans can comprehend *speech at

[@TheMoonmoonmoon]

The PSC method is a great way to think about it. Don’t forget tho that the denominator (lower number /4 or /8 etc) in the time signature doesn’t mean anything if you’re not writing it down. It’s only spelling! If it’s just aural then just saying “it’s in 4” is all you need.

[@CraftyMusicTips]

Well said, should’ve mentioned that… oops!

[@ahaansaraf]

Why?

[@TheMoonmoonmoon]

​@@ahaansarafbecause a piece of music could be written in 4/8 or 4/4 or 4/2 and sound exactly the same

[@ahaansaraf]

@@TheMoonmoonmoon Ahh thank you

[@elijahwinter7365]

Much appreciated you for the educational video! 💪

[@tomthornton6259]

wooh 100%!! Admittedly I've played musical instruments un the past (and as a kid even sung abit) but I was worried id maybe forgotten /got very out of practice, but no. Think music is like riding a bike, or swimming, or driving. Sure, you're better with practice, but once you've climbed the scary mountain that is first learning, yiu never really forget!

[@mikehoward5012]

Type supports USB functionality along with HDMI support. Usually it is to receive power but Type-C can work in both directions. Just depends on your USB and if it draws too much power. Using a self powered drive can help with this. Also display link adapters can come in handy to give more ports 👍

[@user_3460]

I've been learning music since I was six and I still can't identify time signatures because of those stupid denominators 😭

[@spaceisbig7910]

Found this channel today Looking for music theory Totally got what you were teaching Plus I actually laughed out loud at your comments Really enjoyed the videos Thx man

[@AtakanTuglu-v1p]

Great lesson, you are a really good teacher. The only question from my side is: I feel like the example you provided at 2.40 is 1/1 instead of 4/4, since the notes are whole notes, not quarters. If I am wrong, can you please help me how to identify it more clear? Thank you!

[@Crystalfieldtheory]

Hi there! A 4/4 time signature means that you will count four beats in a measure, where each beat is represented by a quarter note. You can use a variety of notes (whole notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, whatever else.) within the measure, just make sure that whatever rhythm you play has the length (in time) of four quarter notes. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to play quarter notes for that time signature. In the example you’re referencing at 2:40, he is counting four beats, which is equal to four quarter notes because, again, each quarter note has a value of one beat. This is why a whole note can take up a whole measure of 4 beats and still have a 4/4 time signature- because the beats are being counted in quarter notes. Hope that helps!

[@choccooco]

ITS REALLY CLEARRRR, IVE READ SO MANY POSTS ON HOW TO FIND THE TIME SIGNATURE AND your video is the the easiest and clearest explanation for me to understand and I can try right after learning too ❤ thanks a lottt, I really appreciate your efforts

[@DoctorHemi]

Thank you! I've been battling understanding this forever! I understood the "pulse" and "count" parts (from previous music theory lessons), but your "strong" concept was the link I was missing before. Now I feel like I really get it. Thanks again.

[@itstagh1902]

9:24 why cant this be considered 6/8? How is 3/4 even different from 6/8?

[@JDMarshall-og9vb]

I knew the hidden pulse was a time signature of 4 4 Cause I started counting when you hit the first string.Then I counted it again and it came out to be 4 4

[@rabidcorndog]

I actually got all of them! After years of being able to figure out time signatures! Thank you!!!

[@777kerokeropi4]

Bruh i've been trying to learn this but i'm searching up "rhythms" instead of time signature😭

[@hansdevriesvonmengden3639]

I thought this was going to be about 7/8 or 9/8, but that's a paid for area :-)

[@bonzeroo]

Your video was not only very informative but also most entertaining! Learn and laugh - doesn't get any better! I did score 100 %, so the world is indeed a much better place. Go reckon! Thanks Mate for sharing your expertise and your humour!

[@adamaenosh6728]

Awesome video!! The way I thought about it is that the key here is the thing round 6.30 about the pulse (bottom number) always being even as opposed to the rhythm (top number). Made me realise something really cool about how the rhythm is a kind of tension, like a random, possibly odd, number, and it finds its resolution in 'evenness' that is created by repeating that number until it aligns with something even. Because it's almost like on the first lot of seven or whatever there is a tension, and then the second lot of 7 in 7/14 is what resolves it.

[@CraftyMusicTips]

Nice thought, but the main point of the pulse is that it’s an even pulse, regardless of how many beats within the bar (ie. odd or even amount). This is the top number in the time signature: how many beats. The bottom number is more related to the type of display of notes used in sheet music. Hope that helps

[@matemondovics9990]

A video that finally helped me to understand better, had to dig a lot for this but finally. Thank you!

[@CraftyMusicTips]

Glad it helped! 😎

[@JerilNadar-ey3sj]

I always used to classify beats into 4/4 or 3/4 lol

[@FindAReason-mi7go]

Best way to figure out the time signature is just do a search for the sheet music and there it is under Bing or Google images at the beginning of the staff. Sometimes you can get different time signatures for the same song like: 4/4, 8/4, 12/8 - depending on how the person who scores it has picked up on the beat, and how they can save space by using the most economical time signature.

[@CraftyMusicTips]

This video is called how to identify time signatures by EAR. Looking at the sheet music for the answer is a helpful option if you can’t figure it out

[@antoinebguitar2869]

Its kind of easy when u listen to a solo guitar but i becomes harder when the main instruments are like a bunch of synthetic instrument

[@FindAReason-mi7go]

But if the time signature is 7/8, then the beat is 7. It is not an even number. Asymmetrical time signatures don't have an even beat number. Most pop music is 4/4 because that is pleasant, and has that nice almost hypnotic timing to it.

[@CraftyMusicTips]

The use of the word “even” is in reference to the pulse, not the amount of beats…

[@inktvisje575]

Do you even play an instrument if you didn't immediately start counting when the first single note was played?

[@yemiplwn]

Well Do you even think if you dont verbalize in your head "i am opening the fridge and then grabbing that milk bottle" each time that happens?

[@primalwonders]

Here just to say that you are a true legend! Thank you for not only great explanation but for explaning in such a vivid and fun way! 🙏

[@artunblock9433]

It's not the easiest topic for me, but I start digging it now, thanks

[@SotraEngine4]

I was convinced that the number 3 one was 6 8

[@paulpaul8695]

Thanks for taking the time and effort. Really helped! 🙏

[@abuzerr666]

you are underrated af bro thank you so much

[@waakkeuppp]

7:14 8:39

[@misterguy9051]

The first verse of the "Great Deceiver" by King Crimson... there is a DRUM. ...but freaking Bruford.. .. in short, i never got that one part...

[@beefbeefbeefbeefbeefbeefbeef]

Before i watch this, i hear people be like oh this is in 3/4 but when i try i can count to 8 as quick or not as i need to so i always get confused anyway lets see if my brain can understand this Edit: watched this video once AND I GET IT NOW! Maybe after years ill finally progress at the guitar, maybe i learn theory too I think before I was missing the strong beat when listening so I was just endlessly counting to 8

[@stacystacksbeats999]

Bravo this class is awesome! No Detention today for me❤

[@magiclovelinu7234]

Individual songs dont feel like they all seperate and without obsessed attachment . 2020 during covid

[@h.hholmes.492]

wow theo von

[@kayleighgriva4817]

Oh my god I finally get it, thank you so much, the examples were a brilliant teaching device too. Please keep it up!

[@jeffwombold9167]

This is where I get completely lost on reading music. If I made a guess (in my own head), 3/4 would be 1/3. I still sorta don't get it.. but thanks for trying.

[@Sai-i9k9i]

wow this helped TONS thank you, I just stumbled across your page. subscribed!(:

[@kentuckyfriedchildren5385]

I have an entrance exam for a conservatory and have never really studied classically, I find that It's really easy for me to find a time signature for regular songs I listen to or guitar playing (since I'm a guitarist as well), but my teacher plays the piano and plays random single note melodies, so no drums, no chords, I find it difficult to get it properly, do you have any advice?

[@CraftyMusicTips]

Great question. Depending on the level of difficulty of the example, I may not be able to answer it correctly myself. The elements I would be looking out for would be:- -where the strong beats are amongst the melodic phrases -are there any repeated rhythmic phrases? -do any of the phrases sound like they’re starting BEFORE a strong beat? Hope that helps

[@Thehotstars777]

This really helps for my grade 2 piano thank so much

[@fireman101235]

trying to figure out the timing on the intro riff to Apocalypse kid by johnny cage is a fake lol insane

[@user-AstroVespers]

This was really helpful,thanks a lot!

[@wishylane]

who else got spoiled by the captions on the 3/4 one

[@b_a_fps1569]

Your mic settings sound really good through my new headphones. Cheers!

[@philipsheard624]

Thank you very much x

[@MennaBusiness-w9t]

you made it much easier. Thanks a lot 🧡

[@randomdudeaj5540]

thank you so much this channel is very helpful

[@TeamHarrisonMachine]

Great!! Now make a video about how orchestra members keep track of rests and when they play

[@mattsmith2702]

What do you mean it’s literally marked on the sheet music or the conductor queues your section

[@TeamHarrisonMachine]

@@mattsmith2702 I know it’s marked on the sheet music but some tests are long as hell. For example the timpani. The conductor doesn’t queue every single section.

[@20centanimator78]

If you can count, you should be fine

[@TeamHarrisonMachine]

@@20centanimator78 There’s always got to be a fucking smart ass

[@Brinjk]

Great. Id thanks for the tips man

[@lainyjordan9684]

Whoa!! Got number 3. Will someone marry me??

[@赵明远-u9z]

thank you , it help me so much, but i still don't know How can I differentiate 2/4 and 4/4?

[@CraftyMusicTips]

Yes good point, it's more common to have a 4/4 time signature, I personally prefer to think of songs in 4, and if necessary, group 2 bars of 2/4 together so they equal 1 bar of 4/4. The only time you'll likely encounter a song in 2/4 would be with sheet music, or if the style is either a country or samba rhythm, for some people those scenarios are rare/non-existent. Hope that helps!

[@赵明远-u9z]

@@CraftyMusicTips thank you very much

[@robertolongoni7331]

In my opinion he played a 2/2 cut time piece

[@Dismembering_Man]

100%! thank you, this was a great lesson

[@haftommeles4293]

very helpful. Thank you.

[@CStayNZ]

Beauty. Cheers mate

[@jeremiahawesome]

Bro funny and good lesson

[@CStayNZ]

Beauty. Cheers mate

[@AadilRoy-go5xb]

absolutely amazing

[@aradhayaahuja4443]

I enjoyed it. You are the best!!

[@sushmitasen8141]

Thanks

[@lainyjordan9684]

I have the biggest 😊 right now cause I got the second one right!

[@I-on23]

outstanding content man, keep it up and you'll be big!

[@gladysgalaxy81]

Now why can’t everyone explain it this way? Gosh, this actually makes sense!!!!!

[@איןשם-ה5ב]

👍👍

[@hakansonmez6736]

great video thanks

[@keldeori3059]

Thank you!

[@nchumtsanglao7696]

Good video❤

[@Vinescodeboomer]

Thank you sir

[@user-lb4ew7gr2j]

nice

[@MaxWon56]

GREAT!!!

[@wiwinreject]

Instead of playing video games, younger generation needs to realize that knowledge is on the internet nowadays 🤘🤘🤘

[@payray30416]

Example 4 was thatt a Metallica intro ? Or am i hearing wrong ?

[@techdude97]

Yeah, Nothing Else Matters, it's not the intro but it's the same riff as the intro anyways