Your Favorite Time Signature
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Polls
Forum Description: Create polls on topics related to progressive music
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45057
Printed Date: February 26 2025 at 01:35
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Topic: Your Favorite Time Signature
Posted By: progaeopteryx
Subject: Your Favorite Time Signature
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 12:11
| Probably not the most interesting poll. Choose you favorite time signature, for whatever reason. |
Replies:
Posted By: Moatilliatta
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 13:14
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Ah, darn, I like 9/8 in my right ear and 7/4 in my left ear. After that, I really go for 15/16 and 17/16, which are missing, but I also happen to like every time signature. I'm going to sit this one out. ------------- www.last.fm/user/ThisCenotaph  
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Posted By: cursestar
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 13:14
| What? This makes no sense. Different time signatures fit different songs, we'll leave it at that. I mean, a song that happens to be in 9/8 might really rule, but that's because of the context in which it has been implemented, not literally because it's in 9/8. Srsly. |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 13:41
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I am a sofa and haven't spent the time to learn time signatures in the way that would allow me to identify when listening to a piece of music even though I dabble with musical instruments. Isn't it a little like asking an architectural draftsman what their favorite scale is? I do most of my work in 1/8"=1'-0" but that doesn't have any effect on the quality of what I draw on the computer or how much someone likes what I have drawn design-wise. Still interested in seeing how this poll turns out for those who speak timesignaturese. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: ProgBagel
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 13:55
| I like them all, as long as they change them in a song. |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 14:49
And as long as they aren't like politicians and diapers.  ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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ProgBagel wrote:Posted By: magnus
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 15:45
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7/8 When doodling around on my guitar, I often play 7/8 without noticing, because it's become a very "ordinary" time sig for me. Feels just as natural as 4/4, almost. Can't say the same about any other "odd" meters, like 5/4, and especially not 9/8, etc. ------------- The scattered jigsaw of my redemption laid out before my eyes Each piece as amorphous as the other - Each piece in its lack of shape a lie 
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Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 15:47
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I like all of them though 2,3 and 5/4 are especially fun to listen to. ------------- RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on! |
Posted By: The Pessimist
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 15:54
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Other: The time signature at the beginning of Cygnus X-1 Book 1 - Rush; i think its 27/8 (6/8, 7/8, 6/8, 8/8)
honestly though, it's like your favourite key. my favourite to play in is A Major (F# minor) but listening to it, you don't really notice unless you're specifically listening out for it. When you listen for entertainment purposes, you really couldn't give a toss. Well, I couldn't anyway, i care more for melody and and lyrics. |
Posted By: asimplemistake
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 16:04
| I guess I like songs with a triple feel, so I voted 6/8, but really I don't care all too much. |
Posted By: Sckxyss
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 16:32
| I like a lot of music in 5/4 (although I usually count it as 10/8). 7/8, 11/8, and 13/8 are pretty fun too. |
Posted By: King Crimson776
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 17:06
| gotta go with 35/16 |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 17:58
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The more complex 11/8 and 13/8 are great stuff. 7/8 are good, but I guess not that weird either. What´s that Fripp and Belew play in Frame by Frame, 26/8?... something like that
------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?" 
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Posted By: Inverted
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 20:14
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I've always been a sucker for anything in 11/8, 13/8, or 7/8. ------------- Prog... It's good. |
Posted By: Draith
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 22:25
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7/8 is my personal favorite. 7/4 second, because it's like 7/8 in half time. I just love it when it pops up in a song. I've grown quite accustomed to 7/8 listening to all of the Rush I do (they use 7/8 A LOT in their most progressive era) and at this point I have it almost as natural as 4/4 and 6/8. I come up with riffs in 7/8 all the time... something about it just makes me... happy. There's something so intellectual sounding about it. |
Posted By: proglil49
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 23:17
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I like 13/16 (Don't forget to breathe by Arena), but I am a sofa, so, there goes my priority. ------------- I want to be an astronaut |
Posted By: Zitro
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 23:56
| 6/8 is definitively my favorite. It's natural, relatively simple, can groove, and can PROG. |
Posted By: fungusucantkill
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 01:24
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6/66 in all seriousness i like 5/4, 11/8, and 7/8. especially going from one to the other. -------------  
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Posted By: Evandro Martini
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 08:26
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Any time signature, if well used, can become wonderful, but I believe 7/4 (and its twin 7/8) is the generally best used by progressive rock, and its many uses are one of the most important contribution of prog to general music
------------- "You’ll never make any money playing music that people can’t sing.” Keith Emerson's father |
Posted By: Nuke
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 11:58
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My two favorites are 5/4 and 7/8. I picked 5/4 mostly because I love this rhythm you can make (|--1--1-1-|--1--1-1-|--1--1-1-|--1--1-1-). It is such an awesome rhythm, and no other signature can do that, and of course there are so many variations of that rhythm too, It's almost as flexible as a clave. The 7/8 is so cool because it has energy built in to it. It never comes out even, there is built in tension where some beats are shorter then others. I love them both dearly.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Seabury">  
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Posted By: Stagger Lee
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 12:04
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Posted By: White Shadow
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 13:59
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9/8 duple meter or triple meter? ------------- [signature] |
Posted By: anekglagard
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 14:34
The big beat (not single beats up to 9) is divided into 3 (triple), and there are 3 beats per measure (compound). So it is: 1 2 3 2 2 3 3 2 3 9/8 is a compound triple meter. |
Posted By: White Shadow
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 14:38
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I know, it can also be a duple meter. I was asking which one he was referring too. ------------- [signature] |
Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 18:11
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Im going with 7/8
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Posted By: keith_emerson
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 21:28
| I think there are a lot of songs I like which are in 6/8. But i don't keep the time signatures in mind when I'm listening prog. |
Posted By: TGM: Orb
Date Posted: January 07 2008 at 17:49
| 4/4, because I'm too musically inept to understand any other ones :p |
Posted By: maani
Date Posted: January 07 2008 at 19:09
| Uh...where is 13/8? I mean, 7/8 is wonderful (lots of Genesis, Marillion, IQ) and 9/8 is neat (KC, TMV, Genesis' "Apocalypse" et al). But 13/8 is just plain wicked...LOL. |
Posted By: Nash
Date Posted: January 08 2008 at 18:26
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I dont have a favourite time signature ------------- http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/sydbarrettg.jpg/" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Floydian42
Date Posted: January 08 2008 at 21:53
| I very quickly fall into 7/8 in my own rhythms. Kinda odd, I know. But because of that, it's what I voted for. |
Posted By: darkmatter
Date Posted: January 08 2008 at 21:54
I don't pay attention to time signatures. 
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Posted By: Jshutt64
Date Posted: January 08 2008 at 22:06
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I love 7/8! It grooves like 6/8 does, but it has that unexpected final beat in there! So exciting. I also really love 5/4, and plain old 6/8. |
Posted By: Sckxyss
Date Posted: January 08 2008 at 23:40
| Does anyone else feel a huge sense of satisfaction when you listen to and count out a crazy meter like 19/16? |
Posted By: Petrovsk Mizinski
Date Posted: January 08 2008 at 23:48
| Any time signature when used musically and that helps to maintain a listeners interest is good IMO |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 11:57
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7/8. P.s.: there are some silly ones listed. |
Posted By: proger
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 12:59
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well I see a lot of people like the 7\8 signature, I think its cus a lot of proggers identified with the sinature. I love all the sinatures... ------------- ...live for tomorrow... |
Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 13:08
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5/4 because of the jazzyness (like in Take Five by Dave Brubeck Quartet)
Or a polyrhytm with 4/4 and 7/8, like King Crimson often did!
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Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 13:15
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Or a more complex one: 5/4 with triplets, which i think makes it 15/8 or 15/16 |
Posted By: cynthiasmallet
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 15:12
Voted 9/8 because it's incredibly versatile- but I could have easily gone for 4/4. You can't beat the classics.  ------------- Would you like to watch TV, or get between the sheets, or contemplate the silent freeway, would you like something to eat? |
Posted By: Petrovsk Mizinski
Date Posted: January 13 2008 at 00:37
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Lately, I fancy 5/4 and 11/8. ------------- 
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Posted By: Hat of Truth
Date Posted: January 13 2008 at 02:35
How the hell did you know that I'm a sofa!? A sofa that don't care about time signatures! |
Posted By: Philip
Date Posted: January 13 2008 at 06:56
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The 15/4 from Siberian Khatru is not in the list, as the 3/2 that is used by drums and bass in close to the edge. 12/8 for me: the sitar in Close to the Edge and the wonderful nocturne no.2 by Chopin.
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Posted By: Evandro Martini
Date Posted: January 15 2008 at 07:18
Of course! ------------- "You’ll never make any money playing music that people can’t sing.” Keith Emerson's father |
Posted By: A B Negative
Date Posted: January 16 2008 at 06:36
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My favourite is 7/8 but only when the mixolydian mode is used. If it's aeolian it has to be 5/4. Phrygian on the other hand cries out for 11/8. ------------- "The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time." |
Posted By: Sinusoid
Date Posted: January 16 2008 at 15:09
| Any figure in eleven. (I voted for 11/4) Main reasons; "Gates of Delirium" and "Awaken" |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: January 16 2008 at 17:02
No idea, but the music that really blows my mind is usually not in 3/4: I know that for sure 
The only time I really listen to music with that meter is on the first day of the year. And I do enjoy it then.
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Posted By: LARKSTONGUE
Date Posted: January 16 2008 at 17:43
The one that best suits the music   ------------- ^ ^ ((( I ))) The fact is, no matter how |
Posted By: Thandrus
Date Posted: January 16 2008 at 23:28
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Where's 9999/10000????? Shame, shame, shame!!!
BTW, what's the difference between 3/4 and 6/8?
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Posted By: Nuke
Date Posted: January 17 2008 at 00:38
3/4 is counted in quarter notes, and 6/8 is either counted in eighth notes or more commonly dotted quarter notes. When you count 6/8 in dotted quarter notes, you end up with a triplet feel. It's fun and happy and stuff  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Seabury">
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Posted By: Sckxyss
Date Posted: January 17 2008 at 17:04
Are you joking, or are you just showing off?!
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Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: January 17 2008 at 17:42
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I don't really care. whatever fits the song
-------------  A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: keiser willhelm
Date Posted: January 17 2008 at 17:55
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In all honesty couldn't you write almost any song in any time signiture and have it be the same? it wouldnt be easy to read and writing it out would be difficult but the end result would be the same wouldnt it? Im struggling to remember my theory but for the life of me cannot bring up any time signiture stuff.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/KeiserWillhelm" rel="nofollow - What im listening to |
Posted By: Oceansizzle
Date Posted: January 17 2008 at 19:51
| anything with a prime number on top. that always makes things interesting...unless its a 2 or 3. |
Posted By: Oceansizzle
Date Posted: January 17 2008 at 19:56
what about Commemorative 9/11 T-Shirt by Oceansize. Thats in 11/8 i believe...its 11/something actually Oceansize uses 11/8 in several of their songs (Charm Offensive, Relapse, Unfamiliar)...along with many other rarely used signatures. 13/4, 15/4, 17/4, 23/11.66666...you name it, they got it. |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: January 17 2008 at 19:58
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9/8 for me... always was special in a way to me... for this... the album that probably defined my musical tastes as a listener.. and musician. Grew up with this album. prog? perhaps... ask Emerson... enjoy.... from an incredible album... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc34Uj8wlmE - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc34Uj8wlmE ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Nuke
Date Posted: January 17 2008 at 20:42
I commend your good taste. I listened to Take five off that album almost every time I drove to jazz band my junior year. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Seabury">
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: January 17 2008 at 20:50
oh god yes.... now that ... ... is a drum solo... ahhh hell why not... a live version of it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDOgYw5-pNs&feature=related - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDOgYw5-pNs&feature=related I met Brubeck after a show in Michigan once... man.. even a jaded old soul like me felt like a giggling teenage girl. A really nice man. A musical legend. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Nuke
Date Posted: January 17 2008 at 23:40
AH, yes, you certainly know how to make me feel jealous  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Seabury">
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: January 17 2008 at 23:49
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oh man Nuke.. it was a small college theater up at NMU in Marquette where I was stationed at the time... a small intimate setting with maybe 25 people there... and an incredible show. He met everyone after the show.. took the time to talk to us. I told my friend that was with me that I wouldn't watch my hand for a week.. and she died laughing.. it was like being a teenager.
------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: January 18 2008 at 12:16
another one for you.. not sure what you play.. but if it happens to be the sax.. get a load of Desmond's sax solo on this.. love it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faJE92phKzI&feature=related - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faJE92phKzI&feature=related ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: The T
Date Posted: January 18 2008 at 14:17
I agree with that.
Actually, nothing beats a good use of the old 4/4.... even though people here will think I'm some sort of cave man or something for not choosing 6.78/837.2 ------------- 
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Posted By: Avantgardehead
Date Posted: January 18 2008 at 16:09
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I don't really care... it's all good in the end.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Avantgardian |
Posted By: Mousoleum
Date Posted: January 19 2008 at 17:27
Same here. Almost everything I play magically turns into 7/8. 9/8 is starting to show up in my song-writing now too; not that I'm complaining! I blame "Back in NYC." |