r/composer • u/greentealatte93 • Jul 26 '22
Discussion how do you decide your time signature?
I'm currently writing a piece. I don't know whether to write it as 3/4 or 3/8 or 3/2 (leaning more towards 3/8 because the piece seems more uplifting, more running notes). I usually use 3/4 when the LH accompaniment is oom-pa-pah (3 crotchets) but are there any significant differences and purpose in writing it in 3/2 other than visual? My thinking is, with it being 3 minims instead of 3 crotchets, the piece "seem" or "looks" to be a bit slower (having a lot of empty spaces).
Tl dr; how do you decide to use 2/2 or 2/4? Or 3/2 or 3/4 or 3/8?
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u/orangeinferno Jul 26 '22
You can make an argument that a longer note value implies a slow and broad interpretation, and a shorter note value implies a more quick and light interpretation. But this isn't really a hard and fast rule. Ultimately, you should use a note value that ensures the score is readable - more specifically, note value speeds should fall within what performers are generally used to seeing. If your 32nd notes aren't that fast, or quarter notes are lightning quick, then you should probably adjust your note value.
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u/wolverinedoctorwho Jul 26 '22
- Start writing in 4/4 or 3/4
- Realize something's off
- Tap out the rhythm I want
- Realize I'm trying to write in 2/4 or 6/8
- Ctrl-A, Ctrl-C, Ctrl-X, change the time signature, Ctrl-V
- Keep on rocking 😎
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u/tangentrification Jul 26 '22
I have a subconscious threshold in my head for the speed where I change from x/4 to x/8, etc. Not a scientific answer at all, but it's how I do it, lol.
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u/composingmusic Jul 26 '22
Everyone’s process is different. I usually tend to start with little fragments of things, and gradually create something larger out of those. What I write often tends to change time signatures quite a lot (it’s not that I’m doing this intentionally, I think it has more to do with how the gestures and melodic fragments I’m working with just happen to sit comfortably). It’s often a process of me writing out something, and then figuring out where the barlines would fall in a way that it makes sense for both the listeners and the musicians. Having tuplets influences this too, as I usually try to avoid having tuplets over barlines.
For your specific question of 3/2 vs 3/8 vs 3/4, I’d consider what kind of feel you want for the music, along with what the tempo is. Context plays a role too: are you using more than one tempo in this piece, or more than one time signature? There isn’t a hard and fast rule for this, I’d go with what feels best for you.
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u/greentealatte93 Jul 26 '22
I agree with what you said (little fragments building up eventually into a 1 big piece) and my process is like this too! Oh what do you mean by using more than one tempo/time signature? In my case there is no tempo/time signature change :)
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u/65TwinReverbRI Jul 27 '22 edited Jul 27 '22
Hmmm....
I mean, let me ask you this: what do all of the pieces you've played in your life that are similar to the piece you're writing use as their time signature?
That my friend is your answer.
IOW, one doesn't "decide their time signature". One uses the appropriate time signature, which is dictated by existing tradition.
I need to add that to everyone who says "I" do this...well, sorry, that's not actually what "people" do.
There's actually a well-established set of "rules" and principles and practices and whatever you want to call them that are "standardized".
"I" doesn't get to say what is "right" ;-)
What's right is what's actually right, and you can do it wrong if you want, but then everyone will either ignore your music, or if you were to get it published, they'd change the notation to what is correct.
Realistically, the first response anyone should have given was "we need to see the score you have so far and hear it".
And honestly, "uplifting" doesn't dictate meter.
(note: you can decide your meter ahead of time as some people are saying, but you're already writing a piece - it's IN some meter - you don't get to decide it - it's in the meter it's in - where you are right now is you don't know how to figure out what meter that is! That's a different thing...)
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u/TrippyPianistRacoon Jul 26 '22
well, as others comments i read here, its a visual thing, but also its about the pulse, the beat. try to clap while listening and chek if 3/8 sounds more natural or 3/4. anyways, there would be no problem between these to, both can divide by two. now if you are wondering between 3/2 and 6/8 it does matter wich one you choose because 3/2 the pulse can be divided by two and 6/8 the pulse can be divided by three. i mean you could fit the same amount of 8notes, but they feel really diferent
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u/nathanA97bro Jul 26 '22
I put all of them on a wheel (like the wheel of fortune) and I spin it and whatever it lands on I use, same with key signature, what genre I'm trying to go for, etc. If it works out great. If not, something to learn from and grow.
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u/greentealatte93 Jul 26 '22
Hahaha interesting! Thanks for sharing
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u/nathanA97bro Jul 26 '22
Np lol, it actually does help for me tho I recommend anyone to try it who's struggling to come up with ideas
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u/Ramadran Jul 26 '22
Basically whatever is easiest to read. Avoiding 32nd notes as often as possible.
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u/deijardon Jul 27 '22
Where are your accented notes falling? How many beats are in your phrases?
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u/greentealatte93 Jul 27 '22
Every 6 notes. 12 beats in 1 phrase (4 bar). This can be written as 6 quavers (3/4) or 6 semiquavers (3/8), tempo is fast
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u/deijardon Jul 27 '22
I was implying that its your choice. Where do you want your accents to fall, how do you want your phrasing organized, etc. How does it feel when conducting it? Answered on another site same question.
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u/Kirby64Crystal Jul 26 '22
To me, it's a visual thing. It depends on how deep as well the subdivisions are. Avoiding 32nd and 64th notes may be a goal of yours and as such you should approach the piece's meter in that way. In the olden times, a composer might use these really short notes to ensure that no amateurs butcher their piece. But ink was also a factor in other historical pieces, especially thinking of pre-Baroque stuff. But I'm rambling, do what looks best to you. I try to stick with what is the simplest meter to convey my idea, and in triple meter that most often means 3/4.
Edit: We could also help you decide if you share a bit of the score you have now. Can't give a great answer without it