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mixing 4/4 timing with 3/4 timing ..not sure if it is acceptable

Posted: Thu May 05, 2022 8:10 am
by feaker66
I recorded this early in the week and was having a lot of trouble finding a drum pattern for the chorus. Duhh ...when I went back the next day I listened to the chorus chords going 1 2 3...123. I went back and tried a four count beat and I couldn't get the other out of my head. It seems like it works, but I can't really tell. Your thoughts? Chorus starts at 1:04

https://soundcloud.com/feaker66/the-sun-is-up

Re: mixing 4/4 timing with 3/4 timing ..not sure if it is acceptable

Posted: Thu May 05, 2022 9:43 am
by AlanHall
Nice! Sounds very George Harrison-esque to my ears.
Yes, the chorus is in 3 (or 6?) and works well structure-wise.

Re: mixing 4/4 timing with 3/4 timing ..not sure if it is acceptable

Posted: Thu May 05, 2022 9:53 am
by feaker66
AlanHall wrote:
Thu May 05, 2022 9:43 am
Nice! Sounds very George Harrison-esque to my ears.
Yes, the chorus is in 3 (or 6?) and works well structure-wise.
Hi Alan I envy and bow to those who have studied music. They probably don't say out loud "now what the hell have I done" So glad you like it. Now to go back and refine
Thanks

Re: mixing 4/4 timing with 3/4 timing ..not sure if it is acceptable

Posted: Thu May 05, 2022 12:00 pm
by VanderBoegh
Sounds alright to me! The steady hits on the ride help lock it in. But I often like having competing time signatures when they work well together. One of my favorite examples is from this Tool song, where the guitar is playing in 4/4, the bass is going in 6/4, and the drums are doing god-only-knows-what (you'll have to scroll to the 5:40 mark.... yes, Tool is extremely long-winded). Pretty cool stuff with timing though!

https://youtu.be/qJq9y9xPKWs?t=340

~~Matt

Re: mixing 4/4 timing with 3/4 timing ..not sure if it is acceptable

Posted: Thu May 05, 2022 1:34 pm
by feaker66
VanderBoegh wrote:
Thu May 05, 2022 12:00 pm
Sounds alright to me! The steady hits on the ride help lock it in. But I often like having competing time signatures when they work well together. One of my favorite examples is from this Tool song, where the guitar is playing in 4/4, the bass is going in 6/4, and the drums are doing god-only-knows-what (you'll have to scroll to the 5:40 mark.... yes, Tool is extremely long-winded). Pretty cool stuff with timing though!

https://youtu.be/qJq9y9xPKWs?t=340

~~Matt
Hi Matt I don't know you, but have been observing your success log. Congrats on that. I am 73 and pretty much gonzo. Kinda of a "take it to the limit one more time" kinda thing. Each track I make, I kinda think it will be the last. I love the process.
As far as that song? I like the processing on that bass. I do however don't have the patience to ride the slow climb to the good stuff. I did like it tho.
Thanks for this

Re: mixing 4/4 timing with 3/4 timing ..not sure if it is acceptable

Posted: Thu May 05, 2022 1:36 pm
by Paulie
Don't over think it. If the music sounds good and is not distracting to the average listener, go with it.

Re: mixing 4/4 timing with 3/4 timing ..not sure if it is acceptable

Posted: Thu May 05, 2022 4:04 pm
by Casey H
If you are writing music for your own pleasure, gigs, sales, etc. there are no rules. Do what feels good.

However, when writing for Film/TV, I probably wouldn't switch time signatures such as between 4/4 and 3/4 because it might be harder to sync both parts to a scene.

BTW, I love when songs change like that. Neil Young did it a lot, Stephen Stills ("Change Partners") is a favorite, and of course that little flash in the pan band called the Beatles were masters at it.

Re: mixing 4/4 timing with 3/4 timing ..not sure if it is acceptable

Posted: Thu May 05, 2022 4:11 pm
by feaker66
Paulie wrote:
Thu May 05, 2022 1:36 pm
Don't over think it. If the music sounds good and is not distracting to the average listener, go with it.
Paul to Paulie. This particular track is just average. It was a learning curve thing again that I can apply for future tracks. I only have four SC followers, so we will have to see. ha ha Peace

Re: mixing 4/4 timing with 3/4 timing ..not sure if it is acceptable

Posted: Thu May 05, 2022 4:20 pm
by feaker66
Casey H wrote:
Thu May 05, 2022 4:04 pm
If you are writing music for your own pleasure, gigs, sales, etc. there are no rules. Do what feels good.

However, when writing for Film/TV, I probably wouldn't switch time signatures such as between 4/4 and 3/4 because it might be harder to sync both parts to a scene.

BTW, I love when songs change like that. Neil Young did it a lot, Stephen Stills ("Change Partners") is a favorite, and of course that little flash in the pan band called the Beatles were masters at it.
Casey I am sorry for the political fallout on FB. I have no excuses. I hoped to join taxi and submit tracks. Still hoping. I do check the singer/songwriter listings, but not any are good fits for me yet. I do take a little pride in still making songs without any help except the drums.
I play alot of Beatles songs and haven't ever notice time changes. I guess they pulled it off well.
There just isn't anything special about this track, so I will now dig in again and try to give it a little spark. Hope you are well

Re: mixing 4/4 timing with 3/4 timing ..not sure if it is acceptable

Posted: Thu May 05, 2022 4:46 pm
by Casey H
feaker66 wrote:
Thu May 05, 2022 4:20 pm
*I play alot of Beatles songs and haven't ever notice time changes.
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds: Verse in 3/4, chorus in 4/4.
For The Benefit Of Miser Kite: Song in 4/4, instrumental (circus music) in 3/4.
We Can Work It Out: Song is 4/4 but has some 6/8 measures thrown in and at the end.

I accept your apology, thanks! 8-)