Time Signatures: Everything You Need to Know

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Time signatures are easy in theory; the top number is how many beats are in a bar(i.e. what metre is it in), and the bottom number tells you what kind of note is the beat(4=quarter, 2=half, 8=eighth, etc.), but this concept can be pretty brain melting for people who are only used to reading 4/4 or 3/4 or other "simple" time signatures. Hopefully this video gives enough examples and explanations to smooth out this concept for most people. I might even do another video with just tons of examples, one after another, to practice reading and counting rhythms. Let me know in the comments if that's something you'd like!

Check out my video about how to learn all your scales in 24 hours!

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Chapters
0:00 - Introduction
0:14 - Reviewing Common Time(4/4, 3/4, etc)
1:15 - Redefining Reality
2:30 - Cut time, 2/2, alla breve
3:46 - Learning pieces in cut time
5:26 - 6/8 and Compound Time Signatures
6:47 - Other Compound Time Signatures
7:54 - Take Lessons With Me!
8:33 - Subdividing in Compound Time
9:27 - Tuplets in Compound Time
10:21 - Complex Meter
11:21 - Mixed Meter

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Other instalments of this series:

Coming soon!
Part 4: Swing: When Eighths Go Rogue
Part 5: Metric Madess (clave, hemiola, and all kinds of odds and sods)
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This video contains emojis that were designed by OpenMoji – the open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Special thanks to OpenMoji!

[timmysixxstrings]

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

[AlecShernAPS]

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

[NeraKitsune]

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

[fiakyono]

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

[Ciarnap]

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

[Haakhin]

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

[anakinsworld]

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

[northernpianomusic]

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

[Arbigale]

Bradd = Youtube Conservatory❤❤❤ awesome as always

[williamsanborn]

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

[explodingmicrowave.]

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

[timmysixxstrings]

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

[jeremiahsumalbag]

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

[glennlittle]

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

[ElpepeEtesech-blhl]

*CHAOS and PANDEMONIUM enterd the chat*

[SKYLER]

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

[funny_colandertv]

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

[SynIMPFML]

Bass player. Tool, and meshuggah are my go tos

[hyperseah]

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

[PunmasterSTP]

Time signatures? More like "Terrific lectures!" 👍