Re: [TANGO-L] beats per measure, pulses, syncopation , rubato

[Philip Seyer <philipseyer @ILOVEMUSIC.COM>]

John Gleeson wrote:

"Sorry, but someone here is playing fast and loose with musical
terminology."

I can understand that you might feel that way, when someone comes along and
says something counter to what you've been taught and counter to what seems
to fit with a lot of the music you have performed over the years.

But no, I am serious.  I am helping to clarify a common misconception -- one
that is spread by many teachers and elementary music theory books written by
people who have not really looked carefully at the musical literature.

Did you check my beats per minute tutorial at
http://www.ilovemusic.com/rhythm_beats_per_measure.htm ?

Did you check what the Virgina Tech Multimedia dictionary says about the
number of beats for waltz (notated in 3/4 time).  It's not three. Here's
what they say:

"Today the waltz is performed in a slow triple meter or in a fast triple
meter (with typically one beat per measure) known as the Viennese waltz. "

We typically don't notate one beat per measure in the time signature, we
just often perform it that way.

Music in 4/4 time is often played with four beats per measure, yes. But the
time signature doesn't say that. It just says there are 4 quarter notes in
each measure (or notes of equivalent durational value).  Music in 4/4 time
is often played with 2 beats per measure, sometimes with 8. A lot depends on
tempo and the interpretation of the musicians.
Early music didn't have time signatures at all. When they were introduced
they were used to clarify the duration of each measure in terms of notes
allowed to fit within a measure, not to indicate beats per measure.
Attempts to force the meaning of the top number showing beats per measure
just don't hold up if you look at at wide variety of music and how it is
performed and conducted. VALS is a good example. Conductors don't conduct
beat fast waltz with a 3 beat pattern, but with a simple up and down beat or
they may use a 2/4 pattern. In each case, one beat = a dotted half note.
Sometimes you will se a notation like: dotted half=60 (meaning 60 beats per
minute), yet the time signature says 3/4. The crucial test. Tap your foot to
it. It if feels awkward, you're not tapping to the beat. Who wants to tap
their foot 180 times a minute?

It appears the some well-meaning teachers who wrote instructional piano
instruction books for beginners came up with this notion about the meaning
of the top number in a time signature. Serious musicologists know this is
simply not the case.  OK, I won't beat this topic into the ground any
longer. I rest my case. :)

Phil Seyer
Senior Author
What Makes Music Work
John Wiley & Sons/ Forest Hill Music
www.ilovemusic.com