Lesson 8 - (The Theory Stuff...)

Listen to the following examples of different time signatures:

Simple Time (Beats can be subdivided into 2’s):

• 2/4 March
• 3/4 March
• 4/4 March (VERY common, especially in street bands from the U.S.A.)
• 6/4 March (uncommon)

Compound Time (Beats are subdivided by 3’s):

• 6/8 March (infamous for having the Long short / Long short rhythm or Long n Short / Long n Short. The long part of the rhythm equals 2⁄3’s of a pulse, and the short is 1/3rd)
• 9/8 March

Can you tap the pulses for each time signature?

Do you notice how there is a strong pulse that repeats (in every bar)? How often does that strong pulse repeat? every 2 beats (aka duple)? 3 (aka triple)? 4 (aka quadruple)? More?

Other bagpipe idioms with the above time signatures:

• 6/8 Jig (unlike the 6/8 March; the subdivided pulses are usually divided equally into 3’s).
• 9/8 Jig (similar to above but 3 pulses per bar).
• 12/8 Jig (compound time signature with 4 pulses per bar).
• 2/4 Reel (although only 2 beats per bar, they have very strong “upbeats.” Are fast tempos (speeds) for dancing).
• 2/4 Hornpipe (like the reel it has a strong “upbeat” and is fast for dancing, but each pulse is often subdivided into 4 note groups.
• 4/4 Strathspey (pay attention to the STRONG pulse on the 1st beat, weak 2nd, MEDium 3rd, weak 4th. VERY characteristic of that “Scottish” style or groove).