What is a time signature and how do they differ?
There are many (almost cryptic) messages on a sheet of music. One of them is the time signature.
These two numbers have nothing to do with the tempo or the “feeling.” It’s really just about how many and what kind of notes are in a measure.
The 4/4 Time Signature (Common Time)
The top number tells us how many notes are in a measure. In this case, it’s “4” notes.
The bottom number describes the type of notes, or their length.
In the example above of a 4/4 time signature, four quarter notes fit per measure:
But eight eighth notes also fit per measure:
… or sixteen sixteenth notes, or 32/32 notes… etc.
This can be calculated very easily mathematically and is pure fraction calculation.
The 8/8 Time Signature
But what is the difference between 4/4 and 8/8 time? Is the 8/8 time played fast?
The answer is: Yes and no.
Theoretically, the tempo remains exactly the same. But the feeling changes a little.
For example, in a 4/4 time signature, you count to: 4. So 1–2–3–4-go.
In an 8/8 time signature with the same tempo, however, we count to 8. So 1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8-go. With the only difference that we count in twice as fast (since the bottom number is eighth notes and therefore twice as fast or half as long).
Let’s do a test with four quarter notes and then immediately afterwards with eight eighth notes:
As you can see and hear, both have exactly the same number of notes in a measure and it is played exactly the same speed/slowly. The only difference is the metronome in the background, which counts twice as fast in the 8/8 time signature.
Due to the metronome counting twice as fast, you can feel stressed and this can lead to you perceiving it as faster than with 4/4 notes, even though it was exactly the same speed as before.
The 3/4 Time Signature
In contrast to the 8/8 time signature, something essential actually changes with the 3/4: The top number!
In a 3/4 time signature, each measure contains only three beats. The feeling changes very strongly here, because a whole beat is missing and we immediately feel the “waltz”. 🙂
In general, however, it is the same. Each measure with a 3/4 time signature contains three notes, where each of these notes must have the value “quarter”. Accordingly, it is also possible to have six notes with the value “eighth” or sixteen notes with the value “sixteenth”.
Of course, it is also possible to mix notes and their values. Two quarter notes and two eighth notes would also result in a total of three quarters.
The 6/8 Time Signature
Same principle as with the 8/8 time signature, but this time a derivation of the 3/4 time signature.
The tempo does not change, but it is counted twice as fast.
