If you listen to a lot of electronic music, chances are you’ve noticed a majority of tracks adhere to a 4/4 time signature – it is the standard time signature in virtually all dance music genres.
However, some producers have had the courage to deviate from traditional time signatures by using metres other than 4/4. We will explore some of these examples from some of today’s biggest artists in this article.
Discerning Time Signatures
Time signatures in music serve to indicate the rhythm and pace of an original composition or song, often through sheet music and online tabs. Many artists prefer one particular time signature for their songs; however, there may be occasions where another time signature may make more sense.
Some songs from progressive rock and progressive metal genres, especially progressive metal songs, often incorporate odd time signatures into their songs to give it an unique character and standout from its peers. Although this might appear robotic at first, these unusual time signatures add depth and texture that helps set it apart from its peers.
There are multiple methods for distinguishing time signatures, but the easiest and quickest is listening closely to every measure and counting the beats in each measure. Although this might feel random at first, over time you will become adept at tuning in on how many beats there are in each bar and determine that they all equalize in length.
Another method for distinguishing time signatures is paying attention to the tempo of music. For instance, when listening to slow songs with lots of emphasis on each measure in each bar versus 4/4 or 6/8 time signatures. This will allow you to hear their differences more readily.
Due to this reason, it’s essential that when listening to electronic music it is imperative that one takes note of its time signature in order to avoid missing any essential moments in a song or encountering difficulties with understanding when its rhythm shifts. This will allow for easy understanding when beats alter.
Examine each measure’s beats closely to see if they consist of one or multiple beats. For instance, in 2/4 songs the initial quarter note should serve as the initial beat while 6/8 songs should feature an eighth note as their starting point.
Electronic music offers several unique techniques for distinguishing time signatures. Some songs utilize alternate bars in various time signatures while others will shuffle through them all throughout a song – using this approach will give the track more distinction and create its own distinct sound that won’t be found elsewhere.
6/8 vs. 4/4
4/4 and 6/8 are both duple time signatures, consisting of two beats per measure or bar, but differ in how those beats divide – in 2/4 the beats divide equally into two sections while 6/8 divides into three equal sections, creating what is known as a compound duple time signature.
Another key difference between 2/4 and 6/8 rhythm is how beats are grouped together into one beat in 2/4; in 6/8 they are spread apart to form individual beats. Understanding these distinctions is critical as they directly impact how music notation interprets each beat as well as any emphasis or omission options available to composers.
Electronic music frequently utilizes this time signature, so it is beneficial to understand its inner workings. Here is an excellent example of its counting within this song:
A bar written in 4/4 will consist of four beats with each being an eighth note long; thus creating an easy duple meter.
Another similar track, this time with a more complex mix of synth percussion and vocal parts that makes hearing the beat difficult while remaining quite audible! Pay particular attention to how the fills between chords stand out clearly from one another on synth, as well as to how each group of three guitar notes emphasize each strum pattern clearly.
The drum part again alludes to a two beat split with its kick and snare accenting, but this time around it may take you longer to notice its influence due to being much faster compared to previous examples. You may need time before getting used to hearing this one properly!
There are some fantastic songs written in 6/8 that you should keep an eye out for, including this piano pop ballad featuring an intriguing turn. Additionally, check out this track, based around drum and snare accenting one beat.
6/8 vs. 5/8
Electronic music utilizes numerous time signatures, with some more prevalent than others. From standard 4/4 meters to irregular meters like 5/8 and 7/8 time signatures – some can be tricky to pick up on; it’s essential that listeners understand them.
One way of distinguishing two time signatures is to look at both the top number (the “how many”) and bottom number of each meter’s count (which indicates what kind of note will get each count). The former informs of how many beats per measure, while the latter informs which kind of note will receive it. 6/8 stands out due to having three groups rather than two when counting beats; thus emphasizing its first beat more strongly than others.
At first glance, 6/8 and 3/4 music seem similar, since both consist of six eighth-note beats per bar. But there is one key distinction: 3/4 beats are divided into three subdivided groups of two while those in 6/8 music are subdivided into two subgroups of three.
Grouping beats is essential because it influences how we perceive rhythm. Additionally, this influences the sound of songs because each beat will receive its own distinct sound depending on whether or not it sits on the pulse of music.
Time signatures like 5/8 and 3/8 may be difficult to distinguish due to irregular meters that make counting them out challenging; listening is usually simpler!
Listen carefully for phrasing to determine whether 2/4 or 6/8 music is being performed; if it contains multiple triplet rhythms, it’s likely in 6/8 while otherwise may indicate 2/4 composition.
If you’re unfamiliar with how to listen, check out some songs to gain an idea of what I mean. Mission Impossible uses a 5/4 clave, which is an irregular rhythm composed of syncopated beats separated by syncopated beats on offbeats of two and three beats. Rock music tends to use irregular meters because they sound more natural; however it’s essential that listeners know this as an irregular meter so they can distinguish it when hearing similar notes in other pieces.
6/8 vs. 3/8
6/8 and 3/8 are two different time signatures with similar number of eighth notes per measure, but their arrangement makes a considerable difference to how they sound and feel.
For instance, in 3/4, beats are written as one beam across all six eighth notes that creates the sensation of one continuous group; but in 6/8 the beats are divided into two distinct groups of three which has very different feel and sound.
Listening to music composed in 6/8 is much more pendulum-like than 3/8, leading to many electronic songs written with this meter.
One other important consideration for rock bands is accent intensity; 6/8 can provide stronger accents than 3/8 and this can add energy and excitement to their music.
Accents in the drum kit play an integral part in how music sounds and feels in 6/8. For instance, in 6/8 you might hear only one kick drum hit per “1”, but in 3/8 it would sound every “1”.
As with anything musical, understanding dynamics is extremely important for musicians. Even subtle shifts can have dramatic effects on a song’s atmosphere; particularly for drummers and cymbal players.
An example is a popular piano ballad written in 6/8 time signature, which may feel more’skipping’ or ‘hopping’ due to how its notes are beamed outwards.
Due to how sixth-eighth notes in 6/8 are divided into two sets of three notes each time, while those in 3/8 are separated into three sets of two, this causes the melody to place more weight on first and second beats of each bar, creating music which appears “faster”.
This is also why some waltzes are written in 3/4 and others in 3/8; when writing fast pieces it can be too difficult to count out every eight-note beat accurately, so instead two emphasised beats will be included per bar instead.