Music Temo Question..

E

Eg303

New member
Alright, im mostly self taugh (I just listen to songs and learn them, I know, not the best way) But latley i've been trying to read music and learn from that.

So I was wondering, in BPM how much is one who beat in 4/4 timing? I know thats really basic, but its been bothering me lol. My metronome doesnt have the timings on it, just the bpm.
 
Re: Music Temo Question..

First, tempo and time signature are not the same, at all! You can have a very fast song in 4/2 with 200 BPM or conversely a slow song with 60 BPM in 2/8 timing.

With that said, we will begin with time signature of 4/4. The top number denotes how many beats are in the measure. In this case, 4. The bottom number denotes which note gets the beat. In this case, the quarter note. So, in 4/4 there are 4 beats per measure and the quarter note gets 1 beat. 3/4 timing which has a waltz feel, has 3 notes per measure and the quarter note gets the value of 1 beat. Just to illustrate time signatures here are a few more:

Simple Meter has beats divisible by 2

Simple Duple - 2 beats per measure
2/2 - 2 beats, half note gets one beat
2/4 - 2 beats, quarter note gets one beat
2/8 - 2 beats, eighth note gets one beat

Simple Triple - 3 beats per measure
3/2 - 3 beats, half note gets one beat
3/4 - 3 beats, quarter note gets one beat
3/8 - 3 beats, eighth note gets one beat

Simple Quadruple - 4 beats per measure
4/2 - 4 beats per measure, half note gets one beat
4/4 - 4 beats, quarter note get one beat
4/8 - 4 beats, eighth note gets one beat

Compund Meter - simple meters multiplied by three

Compound Duple - 6 beats per measure
6/2
6/4
6/8

Compound Triple - 9 beats per measure
9/2
9/4
9/8

Compound Quarter - 12 beats per measure
12/2
12/4
12/8

Complex Meter - sums of simple and coumound meter

Quintuple Meter - 5/4
2/4 + 3/4 or 3/4 + 2/4 depending on secondary accents

Septuple Meter - 7/4
3/4 + 4/4 or 4/4 or 3/4


Now, to cover BPM. Beats per minute how fast the aforementioned notes occur.
As I mentioned before, any key signature can be fast or slow depending on the tempo measure in BPM or MM (metronome Marking).

It can get really complicated from here, but I think this should clear it up for ya. If you need to know more, just post your question and I will reply.
 
Re: Music Temo Question..

Great answer, cleared lots up :).

So if a song just says "4/4" can you assume its at a certain pase, or do you need to hear it to know?



Also-ya, very impressive gear list
 
Re: Music Temo Question..

Yeah, it is definitely trial and error if you dont have the score with tempo indication. It is a really good idea to use a metronome very often to help improve the accuracy of your internal clock. Especially when practicing scales. It not only improves your biological metronome, but it also gives you a reference for speed. Play each scale as fast as you can without errors. Keep a journal to record your progress for each scale and try to learn each scale at the same pace. The more familiar patterns like the Blues scale and the minor pent will be easier to accelrate, but the less familiar scales will require slower tempo to maintain accuracy. Remember, speed as the byproduct of accuracy.

In my experience, I use a handheld metronome to find the tempo of a song and practice the song at slower speeds until I can play it at the original tempo. Also keep in mind that nailing the notes is only half the composition of a good solo. You must also have the timing down and the transition from note to note must be appropriate to the style of music youre playing (i.e. staccato or leggato).

Allen
 
Re: Music Temo Question..

BTW thanks for noticing the gear list, but it seems I have developed a bad case of GAS!! The more you get, the more you want!!! I can't wait to replace the Duoverb with some real tube amps! Of course, you know how it goes... I cant find the amp that does everyting I want for a reasonable price!!
 
Re: Music Temo Question..

Ya, that seems to be the problem im having now...

I found afew things I would like to play, but I dont have good recordings of them and all they say is like "3/4" or "2/2" without a BPM next to it, so the metronome isnt helping much.


However for scale practice (or music off of PT) its deffinitly the 3rd most import thing I use (1 Guitar 2 amp)
 
Re: Music Temo Question..

ya, I know how that is. I just bought a new amp and the first thing that came to my mind when i plugged in was "you know, this thing would sound better with a real fender plugged into it.." and so the quest for $$$ begins :P
 
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