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

[@MusicMattersGB]

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[@colinricgmailcom]

Louis Armstrong defined Jazz by saying "If it swings it's Jazz, If it don't, it ain't"! I can only go by the masters.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely

[@djlorennezoebarnedo2848]

Can I ask something 👀?

[@seanleith5312]

a match teacher teaches music

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@Rbigraff]

One of the best explanations I have heard.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@glynemartin]

One is The Funk...it giveth and it taketh away.

[@RedLine4v]

Same

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@Peter7966]

I agree. I always think of 2/4 as tic-tock or nursery rhyme time. Strong -weak - tic-tock.

[@kristinehayes4885]

2/4 is used a lot for military marching music. The strong beat is when the left foot hits the ground.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@bigfootpegrande]

Samba!!!

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@j_freed]

Definitely marching music is calypso.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@jameshartwell4345]

So I need to live my life in a more 4/4 fashion. Less stress.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@dontsubscribeme9547]

No, actually double the stress...

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@laurant4282]

I personally like to live my life in 5/4 + 10/8

[@analogman9697]

I'm more of a 17/32 guy...I walk with a limp.

[@LordEradicus]

Having taught myself to play bass guitar by ear, I'm only now realizing what I'm actually doing. I've been doing different time signatures without knowing what their actual designations were. Thank you.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@pimcramer2569]

Haha same, played bass for 15 years and always ignored the time signature. Only time I noticed is when playing 'money'. But thought more of it as a gimmick

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@AIvlogs945]

Same here.. I've been playing keyboard.. but didn't knew the theory of it.. but now after learning from these videos it makes sense.. and you are doing a great job sir, taking time out and presenting to us this knowledge.. Thank you once again from India 🙏

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure

[@preshooes]

bro i cant believe im saying this but what the honk, this is like the best explanation ive heard in my entire life relating to learning school-like kind of stuff. huge kudos to you man

[@MusicMattersGB]

You’re too kind

[@saurabvit]

These are the kind of basics I was searching for. Thanks for the video.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@EJJunkill]

Me too! Hearing it explained like this is so nice

[@MusicMattersGB]

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[@ghfjgxgjdjtdjgd1255]

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[@raymondspagnuolo8222]

I've never understood this til now. Thank you!

[@MusicMattersGB]

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[@pc9467]

You Sir, are quite brilliant. Not all people are able to teach well, you do it exceptionally well. This was one of the clearest and best videos I've seen on music theory. If only all were so clear. You have earned my subscription. 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.

[@ski6703]

I’m with this comment. I feel the love of this instructor, which actually equates to, among other gifts, genius understanding of music and arrangement of music. Much respect. And why I subscribe AND WATCH. AND LISTEN. AND LEARN. His TEACHING and not him just loving to hear himself speak, like many on utube. World CLASS instructor. Trust. I’ve had many, some, so-called “greats.” Teacher is one of the instances where having utube is a blessing and a gift. Truly.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s very generous of you. Thank you

[@ski6703]

@@MusicMattersGB BTW- I long ago warned my children to watch out for certain types of teaching styles and “teachers” -especially on utube. Your channel, I recommend to all 3. AND, I knew u got where I was coming from when I commented about intuition. I was COMPELLED to comment then/there. Yet, for me, the timing of my comment was off- my intuition needed some discipline, it seems. lol. Luv ur channel and will be making much more use of your instructions and courses on line. I’m recommending young dancers, musicians, singers, rappers, I’ll be working with- I believe it’ll tighten them ALL UP! We must appreciate and $upport genius! Thank you!

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s really kind. As you know there’s much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@franklesko2485]

Great lesson! I've never understood the difference but I think I do now. Amazing how such a subtle difference really has such a profound influence on the overall song. Maybe we would understand it better if more people used 2/4 time, but nowadays it's not nearly as popular as it used to be.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@indigoeclipse9867]

I have always loved how clear you can explain the videos and actually solving the problems in the video. This extremely helped me so much. Can't thank you enough!

[@MusicMattersGB]

I’m glad it’s useful. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@PabluchoViision]

Lovely, clear, and persuasive explanation! I have always thought (and taught) the difference as being between “song” (4/4) and “march” (2/4). Not that all 2/4 pieces are technically marches, or that they cannot be melodic. The idea of “song” and “march” is meant merely as a bit of a mnemonic, and heuristic, device.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@wirrbel]

there are 2/4 songs and dances. Polkas in 2/4, "The girl from Ipanema" surely is a song in 2/4. I think 4/4 is just fairly popular a choice when 2/4 vs 4/4 just doesn't matter much. And then there are occasions (March, Polka) where it really matters so then composers conciously pick 2/4 (or 4/4 for example for a modern Tango).

[@run1492]

This really makes you understand music deeply. A clear example also that everything is related; I think that learning this kind of things makes your brain indirectly understand many other things as it intuitively makes relationships for us in the background

[@MusicMattersGB]

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[@AnkitG12]

Amazing lessons learning a lot. Thank you so much. Keep posting ❤️🎶🎵🎼

[@MusicMattersGB]

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[@howardperson6341]

You do such a good job explaining music. It’s fun and enjoyable. Thank you.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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[@Paradise-NJPA]

OMG you just saved me from all the stress that I’ve been under to try and learn what a signature means whenever I asked someone they would always just say to me how many beats are in a measure and I’m thinking myself. What does that mean though you just saved me thank you so much. ❤🎷🇺🇸

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@HarryThomsen]

Wow, I've been wondering this for more than 30 years of playing music - thank you so much for this excellent explanation!

[@MusicMattersGB]

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[@ronaldm8235]

Same here!

[@reh0119]

I love watching these videos. I find that your teaching style is very effective. I have no formal music training. As an adolescent I picked up a guitar and played in various ‘combos’ ranging from 2 to 5 musicians playing popular music. Back to the subject of this video, without formal training, I always imagined myself dancing with a partner to help me distinguish between a beat pattern. It will not always perfectly match the beat the composer intended, but it definitely helped make the music more appealing to listen to. As you point out, the ebb and flow of the emphasis on, or the dynamics of, the beat makes music musical. I am certain a there are phds given on the subject. Lastly, I always believed (rightly or wrongly) that before this modern era, when music was communicated to orchestras via the written note, the composer had to use methods like this to keep everyone playing together. Of course the conductor has ultimate authority how the sheet music is interpreted, but the ear of the audience expects each piece to follow established and familiar norms. Thanks again, great channel!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A great pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for details of our 25 online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@5688gamble]

You could technically make any time signature sound like any other with convoluted notation, eg if you have a lot of brief timing shifts and you don't want to mark them every time or wish the musician to be able to keep counting the same time, timing is more about the feel and where the emphasis is and is down to the most easy way to represent the bulk of your information effectively so it can be parsed easily by the musician!

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s true. It’s good that time signatures make all that so much easier.

[@jrileycain6220]

It's also a math thing in writing out longer phrases. In 2/4 an 1/8 note has the same value as a 1/4 note. Sometimes writing the phrase in 2/4 just makes more musical sense for the particular piece and is easier for the performer to understand. An example is, at least in jazz, the famous song The Girl From Ipanema. Jobim notated the original in 2/4, yet all the sheet music is in 4/4.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@gabrielperrymusic]

This is an excellent video, a perfect video really. This makes so much sense. You just got another subscriber! Thank you.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Most kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and details of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@drewga403]

I had some music lessons in grade school, and have been a hobby musician ever since. When I asked back then about time signatures, I got the rote reply, "top number tells how many beats per measure; bottom number tells you quarter note gets one beat." Seemed utterly pointless to me. The ONLY time it made sense was differentiating between 4/4 & 3/4. Everything else was meaningless. Until today. Thank you so much for finally making this make sense! :D

[@MusicMattersGB]

A great pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for details of our 25 online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@a_sea_oasis]

I appreciate the lesson. Your voice is pleasant to listen. Thank you.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@bigztar]

Same exact question Ive had for a while and such a easy explanation.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@blujay2084]

Something I always wondered. Great information delivered in a nice clear straightforward manner. I learned something today. It's now officially a good day.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A great pleasure. Have a look at www.mmcourses.co.uk for our 25 online courses and for details of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@mindeloman]

Time signature trivia: Movie director John Carpenter composed the theme for his movie "Halloween" in 10/8. The reason: it is not a familiar time signature, especially to the average music consumer. It feels differently on the ear and puts you in an uneasy feeling. Which was the intention and what you want in a horror film. It's in the small details that denote genius.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely

[@blujay2084]

Nice comment.. More trivia.. Let's do the math and divide by 2... 5/4 similar effect .. I remember hearing Howard Shore talking about composing the themes for the Lord Of The Rings movies and using 5/4 for the orc theme at Isengard for that same 'uneasy' reason. Also, I'm always amazed that the great drummer Joe Morello performs an extended drum solo in 5/4 in the Dave Brubeck quartet jazz classic 'Take 5'

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@banjopink4409]

@@MusicMattersGB Sorry to chime in, but was the piece written in: 2/4 or 4/4?

[@kenfeuerman8114]

Curious why you'd call that one 10/8 and not 5/4? When I hear it, my foot naturally taps the quarter notes (crotchets if you will ;).

[@ClassicalPan]

I wonder how often this theory applies. I play classical guitar and I'm never thinking about which note to stress based on which beat I'm playing. I just phrase it the way that feels best to me, or I follow the composer's markings for dynamics. There are the rare occasions when I wonder about what a time signature is or which would be most appropriate. The next time I play a piece of music written in 2/4, I'll try to remember to give it some extra attention and see if I can understand why it was written as such. Sometimes, I think a time signature may be chosen just as a matter of convenience when writing the notation. One can be more or less cluttered than another or can just look nicer.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Time signatures signify more than convenience or aesthetic pleasure. You’re right to follow composer directions and to combine that with your own feel for the phrase. The time signature has natural stresses but a composer or performer is free to move away from the norms. It’s good to know what the norms are.

[@norakat]

Maybe composers who don't know the norms might choose one for other reasons.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Sure

[@mojoefelix]

Thanks for this very clear explanation. In 90% or more of pop and rock, the bass drum is on 1 and 3, but there is so much emphasis on the snappy backbeat snare on 2 and 4 that the effect is quite otherwise.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely. In certain styles the backbeats take on particular significance.

[@flutterbyjess777]

Thank you so much for these videos, I'm becoming very inspired to learn more! You really are so good at teaching, I'm so glad I found 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.

[@ojsojs6004]

Hands down the best explanation of time signature in my opinion.

[@MusicMattersGB]

You’re most kind

[@colink4823]

Really excellent explanation. I've always wondered about this, now I'm clued up! This is my go to channel for music theory

[@MusicMattersGB]

A great pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@gog4167]

Thnaks so much. I've always wondered about this. In the fairly limited number of in-person guitar lessons I've taken and in all the online lessons I've watched, no one has ever made this point about stresses. I think it iso obvious to teachers, who are after all experienced musicians, that it doesn't occur to them to discuss it.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Fair point. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@drfiberglass]

Very good... The top number tells you how many beats there are in a measure and the bottom number tells you what note gets the beat. In high school band most of all our music was in 2/4...

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@lukewarm5356]

Very nicely done. Apologies if you've already covered this but I'd love an equally straightforward take on 6/8 vs 12/8, which I find can be an even greyer grey area.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Similar situation. 6/8 and 12/8 are both Compound time signatures. 6/8 contains two dotted crotchet beats; 12/8 contains four dotted crotchet beats.

[@Justin2cu]

I do not have any previous experience with regard to the time signature. But your teaching has enlightened me regarding 2/4 and 4/4. Thank you so much!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A great pleasure. Have a look at www.mmcourses.co.uk for our 25 online courses and for details of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@roneystapes]

Thank you for this excellent tutorial, it all makes perfect sense!

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@smartphoneguitar6780]

Great lesson! And I really appreciate your perfect pronunciation, easy to understand for a non-native speaker like me. Thank you very much.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@crimsnblade8555]

@@MusicMattersGB 😀

[@user03-i6q]

Hi! Love the explanation though. I have a question, what time signature is the song "Come rowing with me"? Is it 2/4 or 4/4 time signature? (Please answer) Come rowing with me Lyrics Come rowing with me Come journey with me Floating so peacefully down to the sea Come rowing with me

[@MusicMattersGB]

It looks as if it scans better in 2 time although is suspect it’s in 6/8 rather than 2/4

[@user03-i6q]

@@MusicMattersGB Thank you for answering!

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@adsotbraz]

Most Brazilian guitar music (bossa nova, samba, choro, etc.) is played in 2/4 time. Ex. "The Girl From Ipanema"

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@ChuckJansenII]

The first notes are saying, "you are stressing me out." Very good explanation. One of best I have seen. Subtleties.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including our 25 online courses and details of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@brianmiller1077]

I ran across one of your videos a few months ago and I really like how you include the keyboard on the bottom of the screen. I never could find any others so I subscribed this time.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Thank you, that's very kind. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.

[@scottietoohottie]

@@MusicMattersGB brilliant 👏

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

I learned it by enunciating "B" for a strong beat, "O" for a soft, and "E" for a less accented beat.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@ThomasDanielsen1000]

Great video as always, Gareth!

[@MusicMattersGB]

Most kind. Hope all well. All the best. Gareth

[@EdwinZibergOfficial]

Great explanation ! Thanx a lot !!!

[@MusicMattersGB]

It’s a pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@johncarterbrown991]

Excellent video my friend. I've always been able to feel the difference, but never had it explained so clearly. Well done.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@satchrules101]

Excellent lesson !!!!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.

[@dougc5880]

I just came across this recently - absolutely brilliant! The way you present it is so engaging and informative. I have learnt so much - thank you a million times over!

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@jaytorr6701]

This is absolutely brilliant! My son is giving exams for grade 3 and was struggling with the difference. After i showed him this video he has not gotten a single one wrong! 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.

[@gunjandas2564]

Amazing.... I have watched so many videos about time signature, but you are the only one that made my concept crystal clear. Especially about the denominator...

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great.

[@vanessapalmer9714]

At last I am beginning to understand the differences in Time Signatures. Thank you for your video which you explain so well and with a nice clear voice and no gimmicks etc. I look forward watching your other videos on this subject.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@MrArdytube]

Thanks, I often wondered about this. It is fascinating the barely perceptible nuances that turn written notes into music.... and differentiate one performer/performance from another

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely.

[@hal4192]

Fascinating....at last I understand. Great vid.👍🏻

[@MusicMattersGB]

You’re too kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@SteveHallMalta]

Very clear explanation. Thank you Gareth

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@norakat]

What an asset for KZbin. A properly educated music teacher!

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@alanb287]

I agree with Rbigraff. After all my years this is the first time I really understood WHEN and WHY you would specify 2/4 vs. 4/4.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@Rosenblum18]

Thank you so much, Garrett! Your presentation is one of a handful that is helping me to understand time-signature theory, after 60 years of inability to fathom it.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@sarahchin2668]

So excellent and clear! Best explanation and really helps answer the question I've had for years.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Excellent. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@tanmoyroy1505]

Very good explanation.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@beemanrunning977]

Have always wondered what the difference was. Thanks for explaning it so well!

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@johnjohnson7637]

Great stuff! Thank you for these videos. I wonder if you might consider for an upcoming subject, a description for "Cut time" and "Double Cut time".

[@MusicMattersGB]

Ok. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@ravennaslim]

Hi. I'm not arguing with your analysis BUT I do think harmony changes mandate the difference between 2/4 and 4/4 as well.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s often true.

[@StephenCooteNZ]

Thank you. I have wondered about this. Now it is clear. Best wishes from New Zealand.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s most kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@jithinkottaram]

Thank you Gareth for this beautiful explanation! In relation to accentuation, how do we distinguish the various compound time signatures and 3/4? Will be helpful if you can do a video on this.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Will do videos on that in due course. That’s kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including our 25 online courses and details of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@rallypally]

Hello thanks for the lesson. ..so this would also be applicable for 3/4 versus 6/8 ?

[@MusicMattersGB]

Slightly more complicated situation. In 3/4 we have three crotchet beats per bar. In 6/8 we have six quavers divided into two dotted crotchet beats each comprising three quavers.

[@nightwolffba]

Wonderful explanation, I definitely did not think of the accentuation when the bar starts, thank you very much dear sir. Have a lovely day!

[@MusicMattersGB]

You too!

[@peterjmaida2057]

Very good explanation. You made it much easier for me.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@jordanking7711]

You can also think of 2/4 as 'march time'. That's the way I was taught anyway when I was younger. And 4/4 is like the majority of the music we hear today. And even though it wasn't covered in this video, 3/4, which is another time signature obviously, you can think of as 'waltz time'. Again that's the way I was taught when I did piano lessons.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀 Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including our 25 online courses and details of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@jasonhall947]

Great video! Quick and to the point.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@megabyte7047]

Being American I am still getting used to the term ‘crochets’ without thinking about Cratchet from Christmas Carol 🤩but your channel is the best of all the Music Theory ones I’ve watched.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s most kind. I love the crotchet/ Cratchet confusion! Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@saggitarius6155]

One major difference you did not mention is that in the 2/4 line, there are 4 bars (full phrase), whereas in the 4/4 line, although it's the same melody, the phrase is incomplete as it still needs two other bars to fulfill a complete phrase. All music pieces having x/4 need to have a number of bars dividable by 4 (8, 16, 24, 32, etc). In other words, in your example, the first 2/4 line is complete whereas the second 4/4 is NOT. The latter still needs two extra bars to make some sense.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Many phrases in music are multiples of 4 in length but there are thousands of examples of two bar phrases and also of irregular phrase lengths.

[@gravmath]

Very nicely done. Excellent explanation!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A great pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for details of our 25 online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@raisa_cherry35]

I learn much better on KZbin than my actual lecture lol,but on a serious note-i have the freedom to see,play and pause and learn at my own pace.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s one of the big advantages. See www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@myfavsandlikes7478]

I think of it like they r both same tempo but you change the spacing of the beats. If i want extra energy i do 8/8 from 4/4...doubling the energy with the extra beats inbetween makes the song feel faster. Listen to a somg when it builds energy from 4/4 it goes to 8/8, so 2/4 wuld be slowing its energy down like if u hear that 4/4 but then take away 2 of the beats now its guna feel slower cuz u have more space between the beats.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@luomeng]

Straight to the point and foolproof, thanks a bunch!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure

[@blubitatub]

3:12, thank you I was struggling with this concept, now I understand it better

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@JackStevenson5045]

What is the history behind a less-strong beat on beat 3? Beats are build- Crusis, metacrusis, meatscrusis, anacrusis.

[@MusicMattersGB]

The convention is that the final beat of a three time is lighter as a lift before the main beat.

[@radhikar3529]

Thanks

[@MusicMattersGB]

Thank you for supporting the channel. Much appreciated.

[@davidbrown8763]

I am happy to report that, although self taught, I instinctively knew of these differences. Thank you for supporting my arguments with others who received more so-called tuition.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great.

[@arekkrolak6320]

Good explanation! Thank you for making this!

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@garypeluso3300]

Thank you. This is a fantastic intro to timing. I'm not a musician and can understand it completely.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Brilliant. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@brendanmcgrane1577]

Best music theory channel, Thanks Gareth.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s a great pleasure. All the best. Gareth

[@palmeristo]

People don't appreciate the Internet enough, we just got a FREE lesson today and I didn't have to put pants on 😂

[@MusicMattersGB]

Glad it’s helpful

[@Limbiclesion]

Very clear Thanks

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including our 25 online courses and details of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@tonypeter7872]

Thank u very much for explaining so well u r too good sir

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@alfreddinotrombone1280]

Thank you for the explanation!! I understand much more now. But then, I have 2 questions: 1) I can count as "1 and 2 and" in 2 4 time signature and would it gives the same feeling as 4 4?? Push it further, I can replace all the quarter notes in 4 4 by 8-th notes and make it in 2 4. Musically, will there any difference?? From my experience, the pieces in 2 4 are usually simpler than 4 4. 2) What is the difference of 2 2 time signature and even 4 2 and 4 1 time signatures to 4 4 in term of musical sense or feeling?? They can be replaced by 4 4 technically but obviously not musically.

[@MusicMattersGB]

You’ve got to the answer in your reasoning. Mathematically one situation can equal another but it’s about the natural stresses of beats. Also when you count ‘and’ that is a subdivision of a beat, where counting numbers places you on beats.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Gareth is making a great case for me to enroll in his course since he is so calm and thorough with his examples. I watched him give a Piano Grade 1 Exam video, and I felt confident. I then watched a certain College show a video on the Grade 1 Exam. There was quite a gifted young man who was the subject. But I think they gave the exam in 17/8 time, since I couldn't follow anything.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀You’re very kind

[@TheJorgealonso690]

First time ever I really got it! Fantastic!!! Regards from Brazil!!!!!

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@gwalla]

I notice you have your two quavers on the weak beat of 4/4, but what happens if the strong beat is split like that? Do both get the strong accent because they are both "on the strong beat", or just the first? I've also never been clear on what motivates the choice of denominator. Is there any difference in feel between, say, 2/2 and 2/4, or is it just whether the composer prefers to write mostly in minims or quavers?

[@MusicMattersGB]

Good points. Just place stress on the beat so don’t stress the second quaver of a beat. The 2/2 2/4 difference is often about tempo eg faster music is more likely to be in 2/2.

[@MirkoMicheleDimartino]

Beautifully explained. Thanks!

[@MusicMattersGB]

Most kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@miltonsiegel989]

Thanks for the excellent video. But now suppose we tried to "convert" a 4/4 piece to a 2/4 piece in a different way. Instead of just dividing each measure in half, we cut each note in half. (A quarter note becomes an eighth, a half note becomes a quarter, etc.) We would then need to adjust the tempo, so if the 4/4 metronome marking was quarter note = 60, the 2/4 would read quarter note = 30. Would these sound the same? And if not, would it be because the weak second beat in 4/4 is accentuated very slightly more than the even weaker fourth beat (i.e. the 1-3-2-4 hierarchy you describe toward the end), while the "ands" in 2/4 are equally weak?

[@MusicMattersGB]

That would sound the same but at that tempo might more likely be written in 4/8 because you’ve changed the unit of time rather than the number of beats per bar.

[@JJDoole]

Very interesting. Always wondered about this. Thanks.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Most kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@SierraNovemberKilo]

Wish I'd been told this explicitly when I was learning. We were left to 'discover' things for ourselves...obviously, some of us completely missing what we were supposed to be noticing!

[@MusicMattersGB]

It’s all available at www.mmcourses.co.uk Take a look.

[@HerbWalker]

I played Country music for 30 years out there in the clubs. I used 2/4 and 4/4 on the bass lines in country music and it worked great in the same song too.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Excellent

[@militaryandemergencyservic3286]

love these lessons! Many thanks

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@vinceq1036]

A question I've pondered since I first became interested in music. Excellent. Thank you.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A great pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for details of our 25 online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@frankfeng4728]

This is easy to understand. Good question and good answer. Thanks.

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@RandyBakkelund]

Interesting breakdown of the 2 signatures. I'd like to see other time signature comparisons too, which I see other people commenting on.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Yes. We will cover those in due course.

[@josephyagappan1896]

My doubt for many years have been cleared. Thank you Sir..

[@MusicMattersGB]

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

[@MertOzdag]

This was the best explanation, I have ever viewed. Thank you

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@Sven.Bornemark]

Thanks for a another fine video! :-) I'd like to argue a bit though. 1. In any pop song, the drummer and the bassist would play the same patterns in both 2/4 and 4/4. 2. 4/4 is often easier to read. 3. For most of us western musicians and listeners, an additional or missing two beats (Lennon and Dylan do this sometimes) stand out as unusual. This "anomaly" won't show in 2/4 notation. In 4/4 notation, it would.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@michaeljhintonpiano]

Reply to Sven .Actually if you didn’t have the hierarchy explained above then rock and pop would give us nothing to rebel against. The two and four in Gospel, jazz, rock, pop etc. is a reaction to that hierarchy to some extant. But to take it a step further in the case of New Orleans, gospel and jazz is a much closer relationship to clave Which in the end is like none of the above if taken too academically. Cheers! The plot thickens. The hierarchy is no less present even when unstated.Such as in Edgar Varese ,Ionization.

[@chuckfriebe843]

Hi Sven. 😘

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

But you can have a 4/4 w 3 feel, and snare accent on 3, Hotel California.

[@Sven.Bornemark]

@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 True, but I would call that "half tempo feel". But I guess you could notate it in 4/4 @ 150 BPM to make it easier to read.