Okay. So, today, I go into my local music shop to purchase a metronome–mostly for my son and his clarinet, but expecting that I’ll use it for the whistle, as well. Not really understanding much about music, I asked the shop-owner’s wife (an acknowledged non-musician) what the difference is between beat and tempo, trying to understand the metronome features. I told her that it seemed to me they’re the same thing. She said that they are not the same, but as she struggled with the distinction, the shop-owner (a musician) chimed in and said that, really, they are the same. So I asked about time-signatures–for example 3/4 and 4/4. He told me that those are totally different from beat/tempo.
But here’s what always has vexed me. How can the beat for 3/4 and 4/4 be the same? It seems to me that if I’m counting 1-2-3…1-2-3, there’s an ever-so-slight longer space between each third beat and the beat that follows. And if I’m counting 1-2-3-4…1-2-3-4, there’s a slightly longer space after the fourth beat. But, I guess I’m wrong, because this certainly isn’t reflected on the typical metronome. So is it just a matter of accent? Then, what exactly is accent?
(My fellow customer at the shop, obviously a musician: “Just wait til you get to 9/16.” Luckily, I don’t think that will happen in Irish Traditional music. Uh, right?)
Can anyone help me sort this out? Beat, tempo, time sigs? And, perhaps, the implications for metronome use?
BTW, I use the term “beat” for a lot of things, myself, but not for tempo. But that’s just me. Mainly, “beat” to me means that point in time where the count is, whatever the meter, whatever the tempo.
This is a complex question. I have tried to explain things like this to my friends and it didn’t appear to help much (I probably can’t explain it well). Maybe there’s some aspects that are more important to music theory majors than to people who just enjoy playing music. It has also been discussed a little in previous threads: http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=18089&highlight=signature
Beat and tempo are similar; depends on your definition of “beat” as to how similar. Sounds like your definition of ‘beat’ is based upon what you hear a drummer play so it is different than tempo. You probably associate more of an accent with different beats (for instance with 3/4 time, you probably hear more accent on the first beat). However, there should be no hesitation between beats.
Tempo is the speed at which the tune is played and you can set this on your metronome - again, no hesitation. The caveat to this is you must know what the time signature is because that will tell you what kind of note the tempo is based upon. In 4/4 time, the tempo or beat is based on a quarter note while in 2/2 time (or cut time), the beat is based on a half note.
Imagine you are a director. If the band starts playing a tune in 4/4 time at 60 beats/min and you keep increasing the tempo, eventually it becomes difficult to move your hand fast enough to direct each quarter note (or it becomes too difficult to tap your toe that fast). So you switch to directing (or tapping your toe on) every other quarter note. It is still the same tune, the band is still reading the same music, but you are now in 2/2 time. Your baton is moving on the half note and the drummers are probably beating out the half note. If you are now playing the tune twice as fast as when you started in 4/4 (if you were still trying to direct in 4/4 your baton would be waving at 120 beats/min), the tempo you are now beating out is the same as when you started (60 beats/min) but you are in 2/2.
Now if we go the other direction and slow it down from the original speed of 60 beats/min, it might get so slow that you want to direct or beat out the eighth notes instead of the quarter notes. Rarely (I’ve never seen it) are tunes written in 8/8 but this would be what you’re directing. However, if the tune was in 3/4, you can slow that to 6/8.
However, here’s where the beat thing comes in. Tunes written in 6/8 are usually not based upon 3 but on 2. So a 6/8 tune is not the same as a 3/4 tune slowed down.
That’s probably about as clear as mud. :roll:
Bottom line: if you’re not reading music, don’t worry about time signature. Just feel what the basic tempo is (everyone can instinctively tap their foot to the tempo without knowing the time signature) and play the tune. If it’s too slow, speed it up. If it’s too fast, slow it down.
Oh, and “time signature” and “meter” are the same thing, only they’re not. Strictly speaking, a time signature is the symbol (the 9/8 you would see written on a staff, for example) that denotes the meter you’re playing in. It’s a signature. The words can get used interchangeably, though. Being anal retentive, I use “meter”. It’s easier on my brain.
Then there are the arguments about “key” vs. “key signature”. Trust me, if you’re playing ITM, “key signature” is as relevant to ITM as the clothes you’re wearing. They both have a function but don’t address the tune itself.
I think with the electronic metronomes, tempo means how fast the beat is, and beat is each pulse of the metronome. The beat can be offered in either visual or aural ways. There may be a little light that shows the beat, or it may make a sound like a click or a tock.
So, if the tempo is faster, the beats will come closer together.
The number of beats in a measure depends on the time signature, which others have explained. But with a metronome, you can have it give you the beat in different ways. Suppose you’re in 6/8. you can have it set to beat each and every one of the 6 counts in a measure (what musicians call taking it in ‘6’), or you can have it only beat on 1 and 4 (taking it in ‘2’), making it two beats per measure. In 3/4, you can have it beat three times per measure (taking it in ‘3’) or only on the first (taking it in ‘1’).
Some of the electronic metronomes will emphasize certain beats in a measure, like 1 and 4 in 6/8, by using a loud sound, then marking the other beats in the measure, 2,3,5,6, with quieter sounds:
Wow! I have a old wooden wind-up metronome. I have seen electronic ones that give you the flashing light. But I didn’t know they had ones that could emphasize beats based upon the meter.
This modern world…
Beats count the number of Signature notes in a Bar of written music, so consequently refer to the principal rhytmic emphasis in the tune as well
Since you can play these beats at any speed you choose - then
Tempo is the speed at which a rhythm may be regulated by playing along with the ticks of a metronome on the beat note.
There are 3 beats per bar in waltze time, and 4 in common time ( reels and hornpipes)
Commonly beats are divided into Downbeat, Upbeat and Offbeat. If you play backing parts you should already know which kind of beat requires which kind of action.
Downbeats are where we tap our feet, Upbeats where we ‘should’ clap our hands, and Offbeats where we ‘come in’ if we are musical dummies.
For example on Guitar, Downbeats are nearly always made with a firm down pick on a bass string - ie a ‘Bass’ note; next, the Upbeat is played with a broad brushing strum - a sort of ‘twannnnggg’ sound -; last, Offbeats are not usualy played by ‘the’ backing instruments, but are often played by the Bass
So waltze backing on Guitar is made by 1 pick and 2 strums -perbar-. Common time by one strum after every pick -per 1/2 bar-
Never in my life have I seen so many words written about such a small matter.
Forget all this theory stuff, grab a whistle and try to play something that you know. Baa Baa Black Sheep is as good a one as any. when you begin to actually recognise what is is you are playing the beat/tempo stuff wil fall into place.
When you can play Baa… then try another simple little tune that you know and you will find then that the rhythm’s/beat/tempo of that tune will come to you a little bit easier than the one’s from Baa…
Then, be a bit more ambitious, and try a simple Waltz (3/4), by then you should have a sense of beat/tempo pertaining to ITM.
Throw the metronome to your son and follow your instictive rhythm, do as much listening to ITM as time allows and listen to the rhythm of your feet or whatever other part of your body shakes when you hear this music.
Practice,Practice and Practice.
It has been the trip of a lifetime to advise Bob Dylan on Irish Music.
Beat is the pulse of the music.
Tempo is the speed of the beat.
Differences in meter (signature) are determined by which beat is accented, and how much.
Luckily, I don’t think that will happen in Irish Traditional music. Uh, right?)
