The Difference Between 2/2 and 4/4 Time Signatures - Music Theory

Understand the difference between 2/2 and 4/4 time signatures. Mathematically it appears that 2/2 and 4/4 are two versions of the same thing. Musically they are quite distinct because 2/2 contains two minim beats per bar, while 4/4 contain four crotchet beats per bar, giving the two time signatures a very different feel from each other. In this music theory lesson the detail of this is unpacked and examples played that demonstrate the essential differences. It is important for players and composers alike to grasp this topic in order to avoid confusing the two time signatures.
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🕘 Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction to the difference between 2/2 and 4/4 time signatures
0:17 - The theory behind time signatures
3:46 - How can you tell the difference?
6:02 - The importance of the difference
8:04 - Conclusion
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[@MusicMattersGB]

Learn Music Online - Check out our courses here! www.mmcourses.co.uk/courses

[@jinchoung]

something you said in passing helped me more than your actual explanation... that the beats aren't all equal emphasis. so it's ONE two three four ONE two... vs. ONE two ONE two... if that's the case, then I now understand the difference in rhythm.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Brilliant

[@facl115]

Thanks...YOU helped me..!!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@dougmurray907]

Love your emphasis on “feel”. As a blues guy, this really speaks to me.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great

[@jimgore1278]

Great explanation. I wish someone had been around who explained things this clearly back when I finally realised the importance of understanding what I was playing. I played in a full-time rock band back in the '70s that did cover tunes. We only played one original tune and, all being self-taught and unable to read/write music, just played what felt natural to us. We had no idea there was anything different about it until the first time we played it on-stage in a bar and it cleared the dance-floor. At the end of the set we took a guitar back to the dressing room and figured out what the problem was; it was in 11/4. That was the night I decided that learning how to read music and some theory was probably a good idea. (I still have no idea why something in 11/4 felt so natural. The fact we never counted it out and none of us could dance probably had something to do with it.)

[@MusicMattersGB]

Great experience share there.

[@OdaKa]

I'd like to hear that. Sounds like a challenge

[@seangoodrich2980]

11/4;1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2 or 11/4;1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3 Frank Zappa composed a 13/4;1-2, 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2, 1-2-3 Tapping the foot on the ONE while clapping out the full count gives us the "groove" or "feel" from which we can flow with the time signature.

[@SAHBfan]

You did well to play a piece in 11/4 by feel 😵

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@chasjazzz7842]

Always learn something new from you. Simply love it!! Thanks

[@yuritarelko9916]

Just found this channel. And this was a most understandable explanation of 2\2-4\4 difference for me. Incredible teaching.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@scabbarae]

As a beginning guitar player, I really appreciated this video as it made a lot of sense to me. However, I was still having some trouble distinguishing between 2/2 and 4/4 until just now, when I started learning to play "Angels Fall" by Winterpills, and realized I was counting it as "ONE and TWO and ONE and TWO..." ...and then it clicked for real. Counting "One-two-three-four" seemed unnecessarily fast and impatient for a hazy, melancholy kind of song like that. Thank you sir!

[@MusicMattersGB]

Excellent. When you feel it through the music you’re playing then it makes complete sense.

[@andallthatjaz836]

This is easily the clearest and simplest explanation of this I've seen. Maths is one thing, but the *feel* of the music something else. This helped so incredibly much, thank you!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@benetmerklin]

This is one of the very useful lesson for music students 👏👌Thank you so much 🙏

[@JGlassy]

Very helpful! Nice attention on the ‘feel & intent’ nuances I hadn’t considered carefully enough.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@madisonallen6021]

Great video!!! I'm already in Music theory 3 and still didn't understand the difference between 4/4 and 2/2 thanks for this great explanation! Looking forward to watching more of your videos!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@Hawaiian_Shirt_guy]

same reason a lot of punk rock is in 2/2. I don't have a score in front of me or anything, but The Offspring song "million miles away" comes to mind.

[@tchapolin]

Thank you so much!!! Even being Brazilian with a low level of English, he can understand the explanation well, and help me a lot. I'm a new subscribed

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@BillMcGirr]

Very enjoyable video. Interesting and informative. Good stuff.🎸👍

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@briansullivan3424]

This is literally the best explanation of the difference between 2/2 and 4/4 I've heard. It has always been something that has confused me, and this makes it very clear. Thank you! As always, love your content, Gareth!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@daviomusicozuero151]

Oh my... I was thinking about it earlier today! Thank you!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@TheUnderscore_]

Me too, it's uncanny!

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@marcolandolfi844]

They hear you!!! Constantly. And read your mind!!!

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@bridgetmwape7415]

The best music theory teacher by far! Thank you

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s most kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@jonjeffries3265]

I always thought Mr Quigley in high school was by far the best teacher... ☺️

[@nigelhaywood9753]

This is a wonderfully concise and informative video. I’m glad you mostly avoided talking about ‘common time’. There is a popular misconception that the ‘C’ is an abbreviation of ‘common’ but in fact it goes back to the ‘mensural notation’ of the late Middle Ages. Music in 3/4 was represented by a circle and was considered ‘perfect’ or ‘complete’. Music in duple or quadruple time was considered ‘imperfect’ or ‘incomplete’ and was represented by an incomplete circle. Three was a mystical number and was considered holy. The ‘C’ that we have now is a throwback to those times. The most common times were in fact the equivalents of our 3/4 and 6/8. The idea that 4/4 is ‘common’ only seems to make sense in the context of 20th and 21st century music. Waltzes and minuets used to be very common indeed.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely

[@vspatmx7458]

Priceless. You Rock. I truly hope that u get a billion views.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Thank you. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@alongamoemmanuel9169]

Thanks for your time and explanation

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@UYIBASS]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS lecture...

[@MusicMattersGB]

You’re very kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@AtomizedSound]

Yes! Can we get more lessons on time signatures and lessons such as this!? Thanks

[@MusicMattersGB]

There are other videos on the channel on this subject. More are coming soon.

[@samratroy1234]

I just want to say that your channel is a gold mine. All across the internet you see these newbs claiming to be Mozarts but hardly add any depth of knowledge in teaching the music theory.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@redsoil5821]

I love your theory's lessons. So well done. Thank you

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mm courses.co.uk

[@tidalwave71]

Such good explanation!! Thank you.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@jheaespares2981]

super helpful, thank you!!!

[@MusicMattersGB]

Glad it’s helpful. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@Xplora213]

The algorithm brought me here. My background is Death Metal and a band called Nile famously uses 2/2 for a lot of their music. They are playing 16th notes over 230bpm very often and they pulse at half the beat for the precise reasons discussed here. You can’t really maintain a beat at 260bpm for 5 minutes, but 130? This might be possible, even if you are playing 32nd notes. Good video.

[@marcolandolfi844]

Can you suggest a song done in 2/2 by Nile?

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@erik2602]

I love Nile. Technically speaking, 2/2 is the same as 4/4 in half time. Normally I would disregard any value below 60 or above 240, because you can just double or half it to make it a more intuitive bpm. With Nile though, because it's at such high speeds, I think it's useful to think of it as 2/2, so you can see all the nuances in their playing, while keeping it readable within each measure. It's all subjective though

[@BS-gj5ot]

clear and concise explanation. Thanks

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@christianboddum8783]

Divisions makes a very big difference when you dance. If I have to move to f.i. 5/4 I divide the feel to my feet 1-2-1-2-1. You clearly feel the differences of signatures when you move FWIW. Great video, will be checking more of them ;-)

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great.

[@janubbelohdehenningsen4190]

Fantastic explanation... got a new subscriber now!

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great. Welcome. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@1080kk]

Great video! Helps so much!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@MarkJKLawrence]

Cut time is really useful when writing for funk too eg a high energy rhythm section with melodic horns. BTW I saw a recommendation for your channel on reddit, someone who is a (former?) Berklee tutor apparently, so here I am! I haven't watched that much yet, but from what I've seen so far it's very clear and well explained info 👍Great stuff, thanks.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Welcome. Great to have you with us.

[@bubnjarskiforum9409]

Latin music is in cut time

[@magnificentchorale300]

That was just amazing, thank you prof

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@vittoriosommatinomusic]

Great video! Thank you!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@johnvallelycomposer]

Very nicely explained 👌

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s most kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@chicojcf]

Wonderful explanations!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@tcng9808]

Very well said its musical difference, now I understand thank you.

[@MusicMattersGB]

You’re most kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@marekgaazka7279]

Great and simple lesson. Greatings from Poland.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Greetings to you too.

[@sizenineelm]

One of the biggest differences between 2/2 and 4/4 is when you add drums. In 2/2 it tends to be just bass on 1 and snare on 2, while 4/4 has bass on one and snare on 3, with hi-hat on 1,2,3,4 - totally different feel.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Sure

[@brendaboykin3281]

Thanx, Sir. Very helpful. Have a fantastic 2022.🌹🌹🌹New Subbie.

[@MusicMattersGB]

You too. A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@shipsahoy1793]

Gareth, knowing how to interpret and execute a piece rhythmically is considered just as, or at times, more important than the melodic and/or harmonic interpretation. Unfortunately, all too many playing music fall short on this. Thanks for being there. One can only hope your message gets across😉

[@MusicMattersGB]

Thanks for supporting the message.

[@hahahadracula]

"Unfortunately, all too many playing music fall short on this" this a 100%. that's why I'm here, as a humble guitar player knowing he sucks at these things. I hope that with a little more understanding I'll get better at this.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@hahahadracula 👍 well, you’ve got the right idea !we’re all in this together and learning is lifelong.. I didn’t mean to make it sound like I was on a high horse or anything for anybody that might be concerned about that, but I do feel where you coming from. I’m happy that I know a little bit more than the average ground pounder, but I’m always humble enough to be continually seeking betterment of self. Even when I know the content, I’ll check it out anyway, in case there’s some little tidbit that I could pick up that I may not have realized before.

[@hahahadracula]

@@shipsahoy1793 I have a background in Physics and chemistry. There is so much to know that no one can learn it all (unless you are gifted). I see music the same way. Just need to know what the basics are, and music has a lot of basics.

[@torbjrngrnas9535]

Very informative. Thank you🙂

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@marielaclericorhodes3030]

excellent explanation Maestro!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@twinsong177]

Always hated cut time, thought it was stupid and just made things unnessecarily complicated. Finished this video liking it! Great explanation, I can see how cut time is so important

[@MusicMattersGB]

Excellent

[@markallen351]

Very enjoyable video thank you .Please can you tell me if any of your courses covers sight reading for drum kit ? thanks - Mark

[@MusicMattersGB]

Not at the moment but there’s a rhythm course due next year

[@HarleyBob957]

Thanks for clarity on the difference.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@AbdulazizShabakouh]

With each new composition student I have I discuss this issue, and still no one seems to understand it! I wonder what should I do or say to make them feel the difference. Thank you so much.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Keep up the good work!

[@AbdulazizShabakouh]

@@MusicMattersGB The next time I go through it again, I'll show them your (this) video. its the easiest and simplest way to explain it. Thank you much.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Great

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

I think the hardest part of teaching this is pop rock and metal music in common practice of the last 70 years has been considered 4/4 whether or not it has the 4/4 feel.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@NomeDeArte]

Great video, thank you Gareth!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@ohpotatoesandmolasses]

3/4 and 6/8 is another one that trips a lot of folks up!

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely. See our video on the subject

[@vadlasletta]

Claiming that a 4/4 has a heavy downbeat goes against what you would find in a rock song where the heavy beats typically are on two and four, also called the backbeat. In reggae you’ll even find examples that only has a heavy third beat in 4/4. But great video new sub here!

[@MusicMattersGB]

Sure. The back beats are key in certain styles.

[@stevethordarson5198]

Great video. Thank you very much.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@FritzSolms]

I do appreciate your videos a lot :).

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@omwilsonow]

This is great, thank you very much 😊

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@carlpeterson8182]

Great video. I think this all works if one is more conventional and is composing or playing in a conventional style. But some progressive musicians could take a piece in 2/2 and play it in a way which is sounds like 4/4 with the accents on beats that would make it sound like 4/4 instead of 2/2 or vice versa or even other odder time signatures.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely

[@kazhilly]

The easiest way to feel the difference is by counting the beats: 4/4 is “One Two Three Four”, and 2/2: One and Two and. Good video, well explained.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@TheStobb50]

As a drummer who often plays Scottish traditional music I found i treat 22 Quick step as 44 when counting in my head it’s much easier to keep time and keep a smooth flow

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@tackmack]

Nice explanation! Would be VERY useful to hear you play the SAME piece in 2/2 V 4/4 - Perhaps that would emphasize the difference even more effectively? Thanks as always :D

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@mikehopkins4040]

So much easier to understand the half note and the quarter note than minims and such things.

[@MusicMattersGB]

It depends on one’s musical upbringing

[@caleb7327]

Great video thank you so much.

[@caleb7327]

This fixed my confusion.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Excellent

[@ajsiemers]

That was really helpful!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@projectjabootskie]

Good golly Moses you helped so much just now

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@AleScati]

Spiegazione perfetta, grazie!

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@peggotty23]

this makes so much sense - sio helpful :-)

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@raymond4u100]

Thank you for this

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@nothingbutsoundofficial]

Good stuff! Thank you!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@ana_moonlight333]

The most useful video on KZbin.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Thank you. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@jerryscholl9260]

Though i can agree with part of this concept, one should note that there are plenty of compositions written in 4/4 but the 1/4 note is equal to 160 or more beats per second. Then you would not feel the the piece in 4 beats per measure but in 2 or even 1 beat per measure. On the opposite side - Mozart sym #39 is written in cut time (alle breve) but is conducted in 4 or even in 8 beats per measure.

[@MusicMattersGB]

It’s certainly true that composers don’t always choose the ideal time signature for the tempo or character of their piece.

[@loganrehn3916]

Your are brilliant sir thank you

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@jimgolab536]

I have also seen cut time used to simplify the writing of 16th and 32nd notes, by allowing them to be written as 8th and 16th notes, respectively. Saves having to write that extra line.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely

[@CodyHazelleMusic]

How does 2/2 compare to 2/4? I notice a lot of tangos are in 2/4, namely Solace by Scott Joplin and Tango in D by Albeniz. Do they feel different? Other than being tangos of course...

[@MusicMattersGB]

This is the video for you kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJjOn56hbtyfgNk

[@spark300c]

I think now I wonder what different between 2/2 and 2/4 on base only what we hear. Both have two beats in the measure. how one center around the half note and the other the quarter note.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely. It’s just a matter of notation. They sound the same.

[@MyRackley]

Bossa Nova music has a 2/2 time feel, but so often it's notated wrongly as 4/4. Thanks for the explanation.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@stevewilson9790]

Great video as always. Like how you use measure and bar. Two points of interest. Point 1, it appears that Early church music was in triple time and used a circle time signature. Anything else used a half circle or common time ? Point 2, in Glenn Miller's Chatanooga Choo Choo, Tex Beneke sings "the whistle blowing 8 to the bar (I guess measure didn't rhyme with far?)

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@howiesmith1504]

We usually call measures "bars" in North America. Also, boogie woogie was a craze in the late '30s and 40s, and the lyric was an obvious reference to the hit tune "Beat Me Daddy, 8 to the Bar," which every pop music fan knew.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Fair enough.

[@embodiedconducting]

Many marches are written in 2/4 or Cut Time rather than 4/4. This makes sense because we have 2 feet, not 4. it is also often a challenge to discern whether a piece is in 2 or 4 by listening to it without the benefit of having the score in front of you.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely

[@mahallati]

Thank you for your explanation! If 2 beats per measure is what we want, then why not choose 2/4 rather than 2/2? Does the decision, also, depend on the real estate or the readability of the score? For example, in 2/2 one can use quarter notes, where in 2/4 one would use eighth notes. But, it also depends on the tempo.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely. It will sound the same either way but it’s up to the composer to decide which is easier to read.

[@johnkilpatrick2343]

Okay, I get the explanation, thanks... but, what happens if the nots I want to emphasise are different, e.g. 2 or 4 but not 1 & 3? How then would I know if it was 2/4 or 4/4 time?

[@MusicMattersGB]

Some styles certainly involve emphasising the back beats but if you’re stressing beats 2&4 you know you’re in 4 time.

[@augustinechinnappanmuthria7042]

Super super super explanation

[@MusicMattersGB]

Glad it’s helpful. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@Hexspa]

Very nice. I'm much clearer on this now. Prior, I semi-consciously assumed that 2/2 would feel heavier. This is likely due to half notes (minims) being strong in 4/4. Turns out the contrary is true. 4/4 has two strong beats and 2/2 just has one. So, in a sense, 2/2 has just one beat per measure and 4/4 has two. Maybe Bluegrass is the strongest example I'm somewhat familiar with with a 2/2 feel.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@BazColne]

Many thanks.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure

[@loveguitar07]

This is so valuable a lesson to me. Could you please clarify about the beat emphasis differences between 4/4 and 2/2? Is it correct to say in a 2/2, only the first beat has emphasis while in a 4/4 the first and third beat get emphasis but first beat emphasis must be the stronger? Thank you.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely correct

[@DameBeagle]

Thanks!

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@EddieRay724]

I always thought cut time was used in marches where the two beats corresponded to left foot/right foot. No?

[@MusicMattersGB]

Possibly

[@TechPithan]

Just a question. If we want to feel 2 beats in a bar. Wouldn’t 2 4 time do the same. Just wanted to understand if the minim measure does anything in terms of tempo of the song or count. Apologies if I am getting this completely wrong. Thanks

[@MusicMattersGB]

2/4 and 2/2 sound the same as each other. They simply look different.

[@TechPithan]

@@MusicMattersGB Thanks a lot

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@meanangel8114]

Sir, your explanations are fine. I appreciate that, I understand the difference. In a world of Prog music we encounter many odd signatures. But what if polystylism kicks in? If I may humbly interest you, with band called Haken and their instrumental composition, Nil By Mouth. In a middle of the song I feel there's poly rhythm of 11/16 within 4/4 signature. Everybody laughs at me, that I'm crazy, but I feel like it's intentional. Is it possible? I'd try to send you exact moment played on drum cover of this song. If you curious, check it out.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Will check it out

[@ejshelby5460]

Such a good video! I’ve also wondered about 2/4? Is that even necessary? :)

[@MusicMattersGB]

See our video on 2/4.

[@rickblackers88]

Thanx!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Thanks for your support

[@petertyrrell3391]

Very broadly what you say is right. However, in the 18th C and early 19th C barred C could be used to increase the tempo of a 4/4 piece, and if there are are lot of semiquavers or if the rhythm shows 4 beats this is likely to be the case. Czerny and Hummel quote pieces written in barred C as being in 4/4 too often for it to be a mistake. The same applies to pieces in 2/4 - with lots of demisemiquavers they are effectively in 4/8. Also in 4/4 slow movements, the beat is very often a quaver beat, and to count it in 4/4 will increase the speed of an adagio to an andante or moderato. I haven't read every word of every old treatise, but so far I have found no evidence that a 4/4 would be counted in 2/2 in olden times. Avoiding heaviness can be done by articulation rather than increasing the speed.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@squaresunmusic]

Tonic chords in cadences are always placed on the strongest metric positions in the meter, i.e. beat one. The cadential dominant will often fall at the halfway point (or slightly later) metrically in the previous measure. Obviously, if the harmonic rhythm is solidly one chord per measure, the entire penultimate measure will hold the cadential dominant. The examples here appear to circumvent that.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Because there are vast numbers of examples that don’t follow your premise.

[@MusicArteTux]

What software are using to display the keyboard below?

[@MusicMattersGB]

It’s called Synthesia.

[@MusicArteTux]

@@MusicMattersGB thank you!!

[@TheAtheistworld]

But if I slow down the tempo of the 2/2, it will naturally become like the 4/4... so why do we need 4/4 or 4/8 or 2/4 time at all...???? Everything can be fitted into slow or fast tempo 2/2.. and in slow tempo u can count like 1 n 2 n. Is there any limitations in this way? Cheers❤

[@MusicMattersGB]

Tempo does make an impact. Also there’s a different musical feel between 2 beats a bar or 4.

[@joeldheath]

Apparently there's something different about the way I hear music because I have watched this a dozen times and don't "feel" anything about either time signature and they don't seem any different to me other than what notes are played. The way this is described makes it seem like there's something screamingly obvious about where a bar ends and I just don't hear or feel anything.

[@MusicMattersGB]

The difference is subtle but significant

[@stephenanthonythomas3533]

As a drummer for a Pink Floyd tribute band I often set my metronome to 2/4 bc the emphasis on the 1 helps the band lock in.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@Sciaining]

Thanks, but now I'm wondering what's the difference between 2/4 and 2/2... is it just the tempo in this case or is there a difference on how the music feels here too?

[@MusicMattersGB]

2/2 often features a faster tempo. The rest is about notation.

[@jstevenson7121]

@@MusicMattersGB can you clarify? I too don't get 2/4 vs 4/4

[@jstevenson7121]

Sorry 2/4 vs 2/2

[@chipsnegativeharmonyrips7187]

@@MusicMattersGB So there's no difference. You could write the exact same piece in the same tempo in 2/4 and in 2/2 and they would be performed in the same way.

[@MusicMattersGB]

True

[@jamisbillson4872]

Brilliant.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@killiantouboul8462]

Thanks for this video ! But I got one question : what about 2/4 ? Is it the same as 2/2 ? :)

[@MusicMattersGB]

It is the same but notated according to the time signature

[@THall-vi8cp]

How does this square against 6/8 either conducted in 2 or in 6? I only ask because the explanation for 2/2 vs 4/4 is basically the difference in feel, yet 6/8 conducted in 2 has a very different feel (and tempo) compared to 6/8 conducted in 6 yet the time signature is the same in both cases.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Agreed. 6/8 is generally in 2 because it is a Compound Duple metre but it may be conducted in 6 when the tempo is very slow.

[@Granaldigirl]

Some pieces of music are in 4/4, but will have measures in 2/2. Can you do a video on how that winds up sounding when played?

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s an idea

[@betaneptune]

There is a song played by The Grateful Dead called Pretty Peggy-O. The drums seem to force you to count 1 2 1 2. When I try to go to 3, the drum part screams 1! It won't let me. Are other 2/2 songs like this? _Is_ it in 2/2? I don't think it's in 2/4.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Sometimes there are cross rhythms or displaced rhythms that disturb the norm.

[@marion_roberts]

Great vid as always,Gareth🙂. I think I saw in one composition a really strange time signature, 8/12 I think. What's that all about?😬

[@MusicMattersGB]

There are irregular time signatures. 8/12 is certainly unusual. 12/8 would be much more common

[@erik2602]

Judging by the slight uncertainty in your comment, I suspect you mean 12/8. This is a compound time signature, often felt as a regular 4/4 beat in triplets (because 4*3=12). If you really mean 12/8, you're going straight into much more complex theory with tuplet meters.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@paulvijayan6762]

Thank you

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@craigbrowning9448]

Someone to lean going back in history of European music notation, 3/4 Time was represented by a circle (°) which represented perfection is in the Holy Trinity. The "C" of Common Time, or "C" with line through it (¢) for "Cut" time 2/2 represented a broken circle.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely