I dnt have a formal study on music, so cant really grasp the whole concept, but with the pdf, i think i can still play the beat as explained. Good tutorial, even for someone who dont read music
Great video. Other videos I watched about time signatures didn’t explain the relationship between the bottom number and the count, ie why we count “1 and” for 8th notes. I’ve been learning drums for just a few months and sometimes we count “1 2 3 4”, other times “1 and 2 and 3 and 4”, other times “1 ee and a 2 ee and a…” and I didn’t really fully understand why. Now I see it depends on time signature AND whether you’re playing 1/4, 1/8 1/16 notes etc. This really helped to build on my learning. Thank you!
Thank-you for the explanation, it was clear & easy to understand. I've been so confused with regards to counting the bottom number of the fraction. Thnx again, great help!
Hi Kevin, Brilliant well explained for a newbie many thanks have subscribed and will look into your lessons, videos like these can accelerate learning much quicker than trying to learn from a book.
Thanks for the compliments Kevin :) and yes it's true. I wish TH-cam existed when I was growing up. I only had books, magazines and records. Video content and accessibility has made the learning process easier in many ways. I'm happy to contribute to your learning. Best of luck!
I’m trying to learn drums online right now. This video helped so much thanks for this awesome video. I have one question, if we learn these time signatures and their beats can we play those beats in any corresponding song with the time signature? For example if the song was in 4/4 would we use 4/4 beat to play the song? Thanks!
Hey that’s awesome! Most of the time yes, if the music is simple enough. Sometimes the beats can be way more involved and a basic 4/4 or 6/8 beat wont sound right if it calls for a more complex pattern. If you want an entire series of beats in 6/8 for example, check out the lessons on my site: simpledrummer.com There are many lessons that will teach you varieties of beats in these time signatures. Every lesson comes with notation helpers, play-along practice videos and a progress tracker! There are over 1,600 videos and …It has a 30-day trial so if you don’t love it, you can always get a refund within the 30 days. Thanks for watching and thanks for the question :)
wait so if its a # over 4, like 3/4 then you could it like 1& 2& 3& or 1e&a 2e&a 3e&a.... and if its # over 8 like 3/8, you dont could the & and it would be 123? How would you count 16th notes or quarter notes in 3/8?
Yes! You got it! And great question… 3/8 is counted like this: 1,2,3 | 1,2,3. You can’t count 1/4 notes in 3/8. It doesn’t add up. And 1/16ths, I would still count 1,2,3 but play two notes for every number counted.
i have been trying to understand time signatures for two years and i could never wrap my head around it i finally understand it beacuse of you and i was so happy i flipped out
As long as you play each note as it is written, what is the point of paying attention to the bottom number? I just play each note and it seems to work without thinking about the time signiture's bottom number...
Very true, you are absolutely right about playing each note as it is written. However, if you were in any musical situation where you were performing you could not rely on written notation. Whether improvising or playing music by ear and not following any sheet music then knowing how to count the time signature would make that easier. Thanks for the comment.
On 3/4, I don’t understand the segment you say “if you are playing a 8th note rhythm” so, time signature is different from rhythm? Why you call it 8th note, if I only see 6 notes on high hat?
This is a good question. Regardless of the time signature, 1/8th notes always appear with only one stripe across the top. Even if there are only 6 of them, we still call them 1/8th notes because of how they look, not how many there are.
Don’t worry. These things can be tricky to understand at first. Basically, the top number refers to “how many” and the bottom number refers to (what rhythm…it is almost always a 4 or an 8). If the bottom number is a 4, then you will be counting with “and” inbetween the numbers. Example: 3/4 would be: “1 and 2 and 3 and” BUT if the bottom number is an 8, then you only count numbers. Example: 3/8 would be counted: 1, 2, 3. More examples: 5/4 would be: “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and” while 5/8 would be: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5”. The time signature tells you what the timing is and how the music should be counted. Hope that helps you to understand a little better.
Don’t worry. These things can be tricky to understand the first time. Basically, the top number refers to “how many” and the bottom number refers to (what rhythm…it is almost always a 4 or an 8). If the bottom number is a 4, then you will be counting with “and” inbetween the numbers. Example: 3/4 would be: “1 and 2 and 3 and” BUT if the bottom number is an 8, then you only count numbers. Example: 3/8 would be counted: 1, 2, 3. More examples: 5/4 would be: “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and” while 5/8 would be: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5”. The time signature tells you what the timing is and how the music should be counted. Hope that helps you to understand a little better…
Don’t worry. These things can be tricky to understand at first. Basically, the top number refers to “how many” and the bottom number refers to (what rhythm…it is almost always a 4 or an 8). If the bottom number is a 4, then you will be counting with “and” inbetween the numbers. Example: 3/4 would be: “1 and 2 and 3 and” BUT if the bottom number is an 8, then you only count numbers. Example: 3/8 would be counted: 1, 2, 3. More examples: 5/4 would be: “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and” while 5/8 would be: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5”. The time signature tells you what the timing is and how the music should be counted. Hope that helps you to understand a little better.
I’ve had a lot of good responses from beginners who have found this helpful. Just out of curiosity, what part of this video or concept was confusing for you?
Just one question though, say you're playing 6/8 and you want to further sub divide by putting in a ghost note in between beats 3 and 4 for example. How would this note be counted?
Great question. I wouldn't count those notes at all. Just count the 6 eighth notes. Anything else you play between them doesn't need to be counted. Keeping things as simple as possible makes for easier counting and better time keeping.
Made what I thought was a complex subject simple and digestible.
What a compliment! That's exactly what I strive to do. Thank you and I'm happy you found it helpful.
This was a perfect video that explained a lot of questions I had. Give thanks.
Fantastic! I’m so glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching :)
I dnt have a formal study on music, so cant really grasp the whole concept, but with the pdf, i think i can still play the beat as explained. Good tutorial, even for someone who dont read music
Great! I'm glad you found it helpful. I tried to make it easy to understand even for someone who doesn't read music.
Great video. Other videos I watched about time signatures didn’t explain the relationship between the bottom number and the count, ie why we count “1 and” for 8th notes. I’ve been learning drums for just a few months and sometimes we count “1 2 3 4”, other times “1 and 2 and 3 and 4”, other times “1 ee and a 2 ee and a…” and I didn’t really fully understand why. Now I see it depends on time signature AND whether you’re playing 1/4, 1/8 1/16 notes etc. This really helped to build on my learning. Thank you!
You got it Annie! So glad to hear that you found my video helpful! 🙂
100% agree, it's the first time I've heard that little detail and it made everything else click
At last, someone who can explain to me, in a way I understand! Thank you, sir.
You are absolutely welcome my friend. I'm glad you found it helpful.
Super helpful! I beatbox while I play guitar and been trying to change up the rythms I use thanks for the info
Awesome! I happy this helped you. And…so cool that you can play guitar and beatbox
Perfect. Why could I not have this in the early 80’s.
Because I was only a little kid back then. Lol
Easier for me to get the meaning of those signatures. Great job. Thanks
You’re welcome! I’m glad it was helpful to you.
Thank-you for the explanation, it was clear & easy to understand. I've been so confused with regards to counting the bottom number of the fraction. Thnx again, great help!
I'm so glad you found it helpful.
Been searching videos on time signatures for a while now. This video finally helped me understand. Only wish I could have found this video sooner
Awesome! Glad it was helpful.
Great video. For a first time I clearly understood the principe of counting 👍
Awesome! Glad you liked it. When it comes to drumming (and good musical timing on any instrument for that matter) counting is HUGE!
This is the best explanation
Glad to hear that!
Thank you very much, keep up the great work!
You’re very welcome and thanks for the compliment!
Thank you that was really well explained.
Probably one of the best comments a teacher can get. Thanks and I'm glad you found it helpful.
thanks. best video ive seen on this
Thanks for watching and thank you for the compliment
Bro super may I think it will be use full😊😊😊😊 for my Trinity exam bro😊🎉🎉❤
Thanks! Glad you found it useful.
Hi Kevin, Brilliant well explained for a newbie many thanks have subscribed and will look into your lessons, videos like these can accelerate learning much quicker than trying to learn from a book.
Thanks for the compliments Kevin :) and yes it's true. I wish TH-cam existed when I was growing up. I only had books, magazines and records. Video content and accessibility has made the learning process easier in many ways. I'm happy to contribute to your learning. Best of luck!
Very Helpful, Thank you
And also thanks for the free Pdf
You’re welcome! Glad you found it helpful :)
very good video - thank you
You’re welcome! I’m glad it was helpful to you.
I’m trying to learn drums online right now. This video helped so much thanks for this awesome video. I have one question, if we learn these time signatures and their beats can we play those beats in any corresponding song with the time signature? For example if the song was in 4/4 would we use 4/4 beat to play the song? Thanks!
Hey that’s awesome! Most of the time yes, if the music is simple enough. Sometimes the beats can be way more involved and a basic 4/4 or 6/8 beat wont sound right if it calls for a more complex pattern.
If you want an entire series of beats in 6/8 for example, check out the lessons on my site: simpledrummer.com There are many lessons that will teach you varieties of beats in these time signatures. Every lesson comes with notation helpers, play-along practice videos and a progress tracker! There are over 1,600 videos and …It has a 30-day trial so if you don’t love it, you can always get a refund within the 30 days.
Thanks for watching and thanks for the question :)
wait so if its a # over 4, like 3/4 then you could it like 1& 2& 3& or 1e&a 2e&a 3e&a.... and if its # over 8 like 3/8, you dont could the & and it would be 123? How would you count 16th notes or quarter notes in 3/8?
Yes! You got it! And great question… 3/8 is counted like this: 1,2,3 | 1,2,3. You can’t count 1/4 notes in 3/8. It doesn’t add up. And 1/16ths, I would still count 1,2,3 but play two notes for every number counted.
Love the explanation 👌.. simple*
Thanks. I'm glad you found it helpful.
i have been trying to understand time signatures for two years and i could never wrap my head around it i finally understand it beacuse of you and i was so happy i flipped out
Amazing! I love that my video was so helpful to you. It's good to have flip out moments :) Thanks for letting me know.
thanks
You’re welcome! Glad you found this helpful.
As long as you play each note as it is written, what is the point of paying attention to the bottom number? I just play each note and it seems to work without thinking about the time signiture's bottom number...
Very true, you are absolutely right about playing each note as it is written. However, if you were in any musical situation where you were performing you could not rely on written notation. Whether improvising or playing music by ear and not following any sheet music then knowing how to count the time signature would make that easier. Thanks for the comment.
5/4 is always confusing to me. I’m a grade 2 trinity drummer and I feel like I should be able to play 5:4 by now 😂
5/4 would be counted "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and".
On 3/4, I don’t understand the segment you say “if you are playing a 8th note rhythm” so, time signature is different from rhythm? Why you call it 8th note, if I only see 6 notes on high hat?
This is a good question. Regardless of the time signature, 1/8th notes always appear with only one stripe across the top. Even if there are only 6 of them, we still call them 1/8th notes because of how they look, not how many there are.
So in 3/4 time, your "1/8th notes" would be counted: "1 and 2 and 3 and"
I think I got it. Thank you very much.
❤
😋
i LOVE how i got confused in the first minute
Don’t worry. These things can be tricky to understand at first. Basically, the top number refers to “how many” and the bottom number refers to (what rhythm…it is almost always a 4 or an 8). If the bottom number is a 4, then you will be counting with “and” inbetween the numbers. Example: 3/4 would be: “1 and 2 and 3 and” BUT if the bottom number is an 8, then you only count numbers. Example: 3/8 would be counted: 1, 2, 3.
More examples: 5/4 would be: “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and” while 5/8 would be: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5”.
The time signature tells you what the timing is and how the music should be counted. Hope that helps you to understand a little better.
I still dont understand it
Don’t worry. These things can be tricky to understand the first time. Basically, the top number refers to “how many” and the bottom number refers to (what rhythm…it is almost always a 4 or an 8). If the bottom number is a 4, then you will be counting with “and” inbetween the numbers. Example: 3/4 would be: “1 and 2 and 3 and” BUT if the bottom number is an 8, then you only count numbers. Example: 3/8 would be counted: 1, 2, 3.
More examples: 5/4 would be: “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and” while 5/8 would be: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5”.
The time signature tells you what the timing is and how the music should be counted. Hope that helps you to understand a little better…
@@simpledrummer now I understand! Thanks for being so helpful!!
you're welcome! happy to help
In 6/8, why you call it an 8th note?😊
Because of how they look. One stripe across the top. That's what identifies them as 1/8th notes...not how many there are.
Been years since I tried, Still don't get it. 😂
Don’t worry. These things can be tricky to understand at first. Basically, the top number refers to “how many” and the bottom number refers to (what rhythm…it is almost always a 4 or an 8). If the bottom number is a 4, then you will be counting with “and” inbetween the numbers. Example: 3/4 would be: “1 and 2 and 3 and” BUT if the bottom number is an 8, then you only count numbers. Example: 3/8 would be counted: 1, 2, 3.
More examples: 5/4 would be: “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and” while 5/8 would be: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5”.
The time signature tells you what the timing is and how the music should be counted. Hope that helps you to understand a little better.
Confusing for beginners
I’ve had a lot of good responses from beginners who have found this helpful. Just out of curiosity, what part of this video or concept was confusing for you?
I appreciate the effort, but still don’t get it….
Hopefully my replies help answer some of your questions.
Nah, this is black magic.
Shh. Don’t tell anybody
Just one question though, say you're playing 6/8 and you want to further sub divide by putting in a ghost note in between beats 3 and 4 for example. How would this note be counted?
Great question. I wouldn't count those notes at all. Just count the 6 eighth notes. Anything else you play between them doesn't need to be counted. Keeping things as simple as possible makes for easier counting and better time keeping.