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2davidc8's avatar

What is the musical signature of this piece? (details inside)

Asked by 2davidc8 (10189points) April 23rd, 2018
10 responses
“Great Question” (0points)

Is the music of this dance being played in 7/8, 6/8, or ¾ time?
Try not to watch the dancers, because that could throw you off. Just listen to the music.
I have an idea of what it is, but first I’d like the opinion of the expert musicians among you.

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Answers

Tropical_Willie's avatar

I’m not an expert but I get 4/4.

stanleybmanly's avatar

Brubeck?

Tropical_Willie's avatar

Brubeck was 5/4 or 9/8 in “Take Five”.

dxs's avatar

4/4 or some variation. Not sure what kind of dance this is.

dxs (15160points)“Great Answer” (0points)
2davidc8's avatar

This is a Norwegian dance from the southeastern part of the country, near Sweden. My understanding is that the music for this type of dance can be in either 7/8 or ¾ rhythm, or sometimes even 3/8 + 3/8 + 2/8 mixed meter. I believe that this particular example is in 7/8, and the dancers are stepping on counts 1, 4, and 6, giving the steps a slow-quick-quick feel.
But I am not sure, and I was hoping that someone with a finer ear than I have could either confirm or correct me.
And no, I’m pretty sure it’s not 4/4.

2davidc8's avatar

@MollyMcGuire I agree that ¾ is close, but don’t you think count 1 is just a wee bit longer than normal, and maybe count 2 is just a tad shorter than normal?
I think that 7/8 is more like it. 3/8 + 2/8 + 2/8 = 7/8, with the musicians having 7 counts per measure and the dancers taking 3 steps per measure. Note that the dancers’ second step is quicker than the first step in each measure.

MollyMcGuire's avatar

I do not. The notes (quarter, half, etc.) can explain that but it isn’t happening all the way through the piece….which is very fun I must say. I also know that the signature can change during a piece but you could drive yourself crazy with this. :) @2davidc8

2davidc8's avatar

@MollyMcGuire Thank you for your input. I appreciate it.

dxs's avatar

This is not triple meter or anything but common time. It may be misleading since there are three main beats (3/8 + 3/8 +2/8, as @2davidc8 suggests) but that last beat is quicker.
Count the eighth notes:
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & | 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

dxs (15160points)“Great Answer” (1points)

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