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Learning Time Signatures

Sean Conklin
BeginnerRockCool Riffs 39 lessons28m

Hello and welcome! In this tutorial we're going to take a very in-depth look at time signatures. This is a rather large tutorial, but don't let that overwhelm you. I'd encourage you to go through it slowly so you can digest all the information. First off, if you have no idea what time signatures are or how they work, please check out this lesson before going any further. Otherwise, let's continue! I think it's extremely vital for guitarists to have a solid understanding of rhythmic theory. The rhythmic aspect of music is just as important as the melodic aspect. No matter what kind of instrumentalist you are, rhythm applies to what you play. So in this tutorial, we're going to analyze an essential part of music and its rhythm...time signatures. We're going to look at many different kinds of time signatures. I'm going to analyze each one with you, then I'll give you one or two example riffs within the appropriate time signature. The riffs will vary geatly in style and difficulty. However, no matter your style or skill level, I'd encourage you to analyze each example thoroughly. And even though we'll learn some cool riffs in this tutorial, that isn't its main purpose. The main purpose is to understand the mechanics of how time signatures work. So try not to skip any examples. If you don't want to play all of them, that's fine, but at least look at each one and analyze how the notes interact within the given time signature. The last section of this tutorial will encompass all of the backing tracks for the tutorial examples. So anytime you're ready to learn a particular example, go ahead and use the drop down menu to skip ahead. Okay! Ready to get started? Let's look at the 4/4 time signature in the next lesson.

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39 Lessons

  1. 1 2:01 Lesson · 2m Time Signatures: Introduction Hello and welcome! In this tutorial we're going to take a very in-depth look at time signatures. This is a rather large tutorial, but don't let that overwhelm you. I'd encourage you to go through it slowly so...
  2. 2 0:52 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 4/4 - Overview With time signatures, we will always see 2 numbers in the form of a fraction. (Yes, music has math too!) So we'll see a number on top, and a number on the bottom. The top number represents how many of a... Tab
  3. 3 0:42 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 4/4 - Example 1 (Easy) You'll notice in the example videos, I count the time signature out loud at the beginning. I strongly recommend you count out loud during these exercises if possible. If you can count out loud as you play... Tab Guitar Pro
  4. 4 0:32 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 4/4 - Example 2 (Advanced) Here we have a more advanced example in a blues-rock-funk style. So we'll just call it a "Fusion" style. :) There's a lot going on within each bar, so learn it very slowly. And really listen for that 4/4... Tab Guitar Pro
  5. 5 0:34 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 3/4 - Overview We now continue exploring the quarter note time signatures with 3/4. With the top number being "3" and the bottom number being "4", we can conclude that the 3/4 time signature represents three quarter notes in... Tab
  6. 6 0:30 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 3/4 - Example 1 (Easy) This 3/4 example is pretty straightforward. Be sure to count "One Two Three" out loud while you play. Tab Guitar Pro
  7. 7 0:38 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 5/4 - Overview The last quarter note time signature we're going to look at is 5/4. With the top number being "5" and the bottom number being "4", we can conclude that the 5/4 time signature represents five quarter notes in a... Tab
  8. 8 0:56 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 5/4 - Example 1 (Easy) Since 5/4 has an extra quarter note beat, it's going to have a somewhat "extended" feel to it. In this particular example, we're going to be strumming some basic chords to the 5/4 time signature. For the first... Tab Guitar Pro
  9. 9 0:35 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 5/4 - Example 2 (Advanced) In the second 5/4 example, we're going to play an intense metal riff. As always, make sure you practice counting along with the riff before you start to physically learn it. Tab Guitar Pro
  10. 10 0:46 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 6/8 - Overview We're now going to look at our first eighth note time signature, 6/8. With the top number being "6" and the bottom number being "8", we can conclude that the 6/8 time signature represents six eighth notes in a... Tab
  11. 11 0:39 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 6/8 - Example 1 (Easy) In this 6/8 example, we're going to use a few power chords along with the open G and B strings. Be sure to use alternate picking throughout. Tab Guitar Pro
  12. 12 0:51 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 7/8 - Overview We're now going to look at the 7/8 time signature. With the top number being "7" and the bottom number being "8", we can conclude that the 7/8 time signature represents seven eighth notes in a measure. You can... Tab
  13. 13 0:35 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 7/8 - Example 1 (Easy) In the first 7/8 example, we're going to play a subtle yet dynamic palm-muted riff. As always, count along with the riff before learning it. Tab Guitar Pro
  14. 14 0:26 Lesson Time Signatures: 7/8 - Example 2 (Advanced) This 7/8 example has a bit of a "celtic metal" feel to it. It's also quite a bit more advanced than the previous example. Be sure to get the count down first, then practice the riff very slowly. Tab Guitar Pro
  15. 15 0:49 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 9/8 - Overview The last eighth note time signature we're going to look at is 9/8. With the top number being "9" and the bottom number being "8", we can conclude that the 9/8 time signature represents nine eighth notes in a... Tab
  16. 16 0:40 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 9/8 - Example 1 (Easy) Now, we're going to delve into a bit of blues as we explore the 9/8 time signature. This riff will consist primarily of eighth notes. As always, do your best to count along as you play. Tab Guitar Pro
  17. 17 0:30 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 9/8 - Example 2 (Advanced) In this 9/8 example, we're going to utilize a lot of silence between quick bursts of notes. This will require some very tight rhythm playing, so make sure your mutes are executed cleanly. And as always... Tab Guitar Pro
  18. 18 0:50 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 15/16 - Overview We're now going to look at our first sixteenth note time signature, 15/16. With the top number being "15" and the bottom number being "16", we can conclude that the 15/16 time signature represents fifteen... Tab
  19. 19 0:44 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 15/16 - Example 1 (Easy) In this 15/16 example, we'll be using 16th notes exclusively as we play a few arpeggios. I'd recommend using alternate picking while you play this, and also starting on a downstroke with each measure. However... Tab Guitar Pro
  20. 20 0:50 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 19/16 - Overview The last sixteenth note time signature we'll be looking at is 19/16. With the top number being "19" and the bottom number being "16", we can conclude that the 19/16 time signature represents nineteen sixteenth... Tab
  21. 21 0:33 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 19/16 - Example 1 (Easy) With the first 19/16 example, we're going to play a short bar chord riff. You'll primarily be playing 8th notes as you strum. However, at the end of each measure we'll be strumming three 16th notes. Tab Guitar Pro
  22. 22 0:36 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: 19/16 - Example 2 (Advanced) In the last 19/16 time signature, we're going to use a good amount of legato. Practice the legato sections slowly at first and make sure the notes are equal in volume. Tab Guitar Pro
  23. 23 0:46 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: Mixing Them Together Ex. 1 (Easy) This is our first example where we'll be using more than one kind of time signature. In this particular exercise, we're going to use 6/8, 5/8, and 4/4. Now that we're mixing time signatures, it's especially... Tab Guitar Pro
  24. 24 1:00 Lesson · 1m Time Signatures: Mixing Them Together Ex. 2 (Advanced) We're now going to be mixing the following time signatures: 7/8, 4/4, 15/16, and 19/16. This passage has a bit of a Joe Satriani vibe to it. The most difficult parts you'll face with this are the 15/16 and the... Tab Guitar Pro
  25. 25 0:41 Backing track · 1m Time Signatures: Backing Track - 4/4 Ex. 1 I strongly recommend you count out loud during these exercises if possible. If you can count out loud as you play, that will help develop your sense of rhythm immensely. In this example, we're going to be... Tab
  26. 26 0:31 Backing track · 1m Time Signatures: Backing Track - 4/4 Ex. 2 Here we have a more advanced example in a blues-rock-funk style. So we'll just call it a "Fusion" style. :) There's a lot going on within each bar, so learn it very slowly. And really listen for that 4/4... Tab
  27. 27 0:28 Backing track Time Signatures: Backing Track - 3/4 Ex. 1 This 3/4 example is pretty straightforward. Be sure to count "One Two Three" out loud while you play. Tab
  28. 28 0:54 Backing track · 1m Time Signatures: Backing Track - 5/4 Ex. 1 Since 5/4 has an extra quarter note beat, it's going to have a somewhat "extended" feel to it. In this particular example, we're going to be strumming some basic chords to the 5/4 time signature. For the first... Tab
  29. 29 0:35 Backing track · 1m Time Signatures: Backing Track - 5/4 Ex. 2 In the second 5/4 example, we're going to play an intense metal riff. As always, make sure you practice counting along with the riff before you start to physically learn it. Tab
  30. 30 0:39 Backing track · 1m Time Signatures: Backing Track - 6/8 Ex. 1 In this 6/8 example, we're going to use a few power chords along with the open G and B strings. Be sure to use alternate picking throughout. Tab
  31. 31 0:34 Backing track · 1m Time Signatures: Backing Track - 7/8 Ex. 1 In the first 7/8 example, we're going to play a subtle yet dynamic palm-muted riff. As always, count along with the riff before learning it. Tab
  32. 32 0:26 Backing track Time Signatures: Backing Track - 7/8 Ex. 2 This 7/8 example has a bit of a "celtic metal" feel to it. It's also quite a bit more advanced than the previous example. Be sure to get the count down first, then practice the riff very slowly. Tab
  33. 33 0:39 Backing track · 1m Time Signatures: Backing Track - 9/8 Ex. 1 Now, we're going to delve into a bit of blues as we explore the 9/8 time signature. This riff will consist primarily of eighth notes. As always, do your best to count along as you play. Tab
  34. 34 0:30 Backing track · 1m Time Signatures: Backing Track - 9/8 Ex. 2 In this 9/8 example, we're going to utilize a lot of silence between quick bursts of notes. This will require some very tight rhythm playing, so make sure your mutes are executed cleanly. Tab
  35. 35 0:44 Backing track · 1m Time Signatures: Backing Track - 15/16 Ex. 1 In this 15/16 example, we'll be using 16th notes exclusively as we play a few arpeggios. I'd recommend using alternate picking while you play this, and also starting on a downstroke with each measure. However... Tab
  36. 36 0:33 Backing track · 1m Time Signatures: Backing Track - 19/16 Ex. 1 With the first 19/16 example, we're going to play a short bar chord riff. You'll primarily be playing 8th notes as you strum. However, at the end of each measure we'll be strumming three 16th notes. Tab
  37. 37 0:36 Backing track · 1m Time Signatures: Backing Track - 19/16 Ex. 2 In the last 19/16 time signature, we're going to use a good amount of legato. Practice the legato sections slowly at first and make sure the notes are equal in volume. Tab
  38. 38 0:46 Backing track · 1m Time Signatures: Backing Track - Mix 1 This is our first example where we'll be using more than one kind of time signature. In this particular exercise, we're going to use 6/8, 5/8, and 4/4. Tab
  39. 39 1:00 Backing track · 1m Time Signatures: Backing Track - Mix 2 We're now going to be mixing the following time signatures: 7/8, 4/4, 15/16, and 19/16. This passage has a bit of a Joe Satriani vibe to it. The most difficult parts you'll face with this are the 15/16 and the... Tab

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