Why is the 9/8 time signature so confusing?

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  • Опубліковано 9 чер 2024
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    This is a giant exploration of rhythmic concepts for songwriters, and the confusion surrounding the 9/8 time signature as well as all other compound meters. There is a good solid rant in here that gets to the heart of a topic I’d like to explore more, which is the outdated and relic teaching methods still used by modern music educators in professional academic settings.
    Liked this video? You’ll probably enjoy these other rhythmically related videos:
    Polymeter- • POLYMETER - Understand...
    3:4 Polyrhythms- • POLYRHYTHM- Learn and ...
    Sextuplets- • SEXTUPLETS- How to Pla...
    Truncated Polymeter- • Writing Complex Prog /...
    A few things to mention- when converting 9/8 to 3/4 with triplets, it’s important to remember that the tempo markings must indicate the correct beat. If I’m doing 3/4 with triplets, my quarter note pulse is the one I’d be using for my metronome, while in compound triple meter, I’d write my tempo marker as a dotted quarter note.
    Also, the graphics during one part of the animation show the wrong beaming of 8th notes. Minor detail but still, it should represent the underlying pulse (as I specifically state!).
    Here’s the songs I mentioned:
    Francisco Tarrega Etude in Em NOT CARCASSI! tab):www.classtab.org/tarrega_etud...
    Twista - Get Me • Twista - Get Me
    Dream Theater- Voices • Voices- Dream Theater
    Like this video? Thank my Patreon subscribers for sponsoring these lessons! They're the reason you don't see ads or sponsorships in the middle of my videos. You can join them here:
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    Table of Contents
    00:00 Intro
    00:42 Demonstrating Basic 9/8
    02:30 Making a 9/8 Groove
    07:14 The Traditional Approach
    09:04 An Example from Francisco Tarrega
    11:14 rant
    12:36 Polymeter, Triplets, and Twista

КОМЕНТАРІ • 587

  • @fleeb
    @fleeb 3 роки тому +140

    I think I saw something in Early Music Sources that suggests, maybe, the classical 9/8 view might take strong influence from very early music, and mensural notation. What we think of as 9/8, in mensural notation, becomes perfectum maior (circle with a dot in the middle). Imperfectum maior would be 6/8 to us (semi-circle with a dot in the middle). I wonder how much of this influence carried forward to how we teach music today, rather than a more modern thinking espoused here, where we may subdivide in whatever way we choose to generate the rhythms we seek in our compositions, and not get too hung up on the time signature used to convey this meaning.

    • @franciscoojeda11
      @franciscoojeda11 3 роки тому

      Yes thats correct

    • @stuffandsundry
      @stuffandsundry 3 роки тому +11

      Not gonna lie, at first I read that as menstrual notation and thought "dang, early musicians really made music according to a woman's cycle, TIL."

    • @fleeb
      @fleeb 3 роки тому +2

      @@stuffandsundry Times were *really* different then. - grin -

    • @iau
      @iau 3 роки тому +4

      As Adam Neely put in his video, most people are taught music as the specific style of 18th century Europe, and not as anything relevant for the modern composer. Music education truly needs change right now

    • @MaggaraMarine
      @MaggaraMarine 3 роки тому +4

      Not only that, but in classical music, this kind of "mixed meters" (2+2+2+3 or whatever) simply weren't a thing until the 20th century. Before 1900, all 9/8 classical pieces were 3+3+3, which is why that's how it's traditionally taught. So, in classical circles, 9/8 pretty much always means 3+3+3.
      The problem arises when classically trained musicians try to explain the concept to people whose main interests aren't in classical music. These classical musicians aren't familiar with pop/folk songs that would use 9/8 in another way, so of course their first explanation is going to be "compound triple meter". That's the 9/8 they are familiar with.
      Similarly, the "4/4 with an added 8th note" explanation is useless to most classical musicians, because most of the time, that's not how 9/8 is felt in classical, and it's actually going to be counterproductive to try to feel a classical 9/8 piece in that way.
      A good musician (no matter whether they have a classical, jazz or pop background) will understand that in different styles people do different things, and they won't say something like "9/8 is always compound triple", even if that's the first example of the time signature they are going to give. The problem is, a lot of people who talk about this stuff online aren't really properly educated (or don't have enough understanding of the different context in which you are going to see this time signature). They have heard somewhere that 9/8 is 3+3+3, so they take that as an "objective rule" and don't even consider any other possibilities.
      A theory book usually has a genre focus, so if a theory book that focuses on classical says that 9/8 is 3+3+3, then that's really not incorrect - this does apply to basically all classical music. You just shouldn't generalize this "rule" to all music - you need to understand the context of the book. Similarly, if a counterpoint book says "avoid parallel fifths", you should understand the context in which that is said, and not try to apply that rule to all music.

  • @EminTuralic
    @EminTuralic 3 роки тому +455

    I'm from the Balkans and 9/8 is so engraved into our culture that people with no musical background, almost completely tonedeaf, can follow the rhythm without any problem, dance, and sing along to them. Always found it odd (no pun intended).

    • @yessir6427
      @yessir6427 3 роки тому +65

      I second this from Turkey. 9/8 sounds like wedding to me.

    • @nick3718
      @nick3718 3 роки тому +12

      thats really interesting. i heard that indian music uses 7/8 a lot which is hard to imagine.

    • @pankats1222
      @pankats1222 3 роки тому +46

      I third this from Greece. 9/8, 7/8, 5/8 is common in Balkan music

    • @nautaki
      @nautaki 3 роки тому +7

      @@pankats1222 We called it Zeimbekiko if anyone wants to listen to what it sounds like

    • @stefandoerr3859
      @stefandoerr3859 3 роки тому +6

      I love the balkan 11/8ths as well! Like in Lidijina Igra. So many fun rythms!

  • @paris1970100
    @paris1970100 3 роки тому +102

    i have a funny story abt 9/8. first of all im Greek and most of our traditional music is in odd time, usually 7/8 or 9/8. So Im in this band and our instructor had a gig where they played such songs and they had trouble figure out a part in 9/8 i think. thay had been talking abt it and of the guys goes: dont worry if you fall out of the beat just follow the audience's clapping. he did indeed fall out of the beat but because the audience was clapping the 3+2+2+2 pattern (without them even knowing) he jumped right back in. idk if it is just me that finds it fascinating😂

    • @TheSquareOnes
      @TheSquareOnes 3 роки тому +12

      That is really funny, normally you'd expect the audience's clapping mistakes to muck things up and not the other way around. Hope that guy put in some practice after that though, pretty embarrassing to get called to play simple odd meter patterns like that and be so lost that the crowd has to bail you out haha. At least it sounds like everyone was having fun though, in the end that's all that matters right?

    • @macescoolchannel
      @macescoolchannel 2 роки тому +3

      Are you still Greek?

    • @ethyn
      @ethyn 2 роки тому

      @@macescoolchannel what kinda question is that? If your born Greek you stay Greek.

    • @macescoolchannel
      @macescoolchannel 2 роки тому +3

      @@ethyn I am aware, it's just that I feel sorry for him for having been born under such conditions.

  • @stefandoerr3859
    @stefandoerr3859 3 роки тому +80

    I just wanted to point out that 9/8 is very common in Greek, Turkish and probably more eastern music traditions (and thus not especially confusing to our ears). For example the fast karsilama rythm which is counted as 12 12 12 123. And of course the zeibekiko dance which is a very slow 9, nearly feels like a 4+5.

    • @AlexandrosT13
      @AlexandrosT13 3 роки тому +2

      Second that. It's interesting to see the difference in how people from various backgrounds and cultures perceive the same thing with different ways.

    • @Arkoudeides.
      @Arkoudeides. 3 роки тому

      Exactly.In my coui Greece is a very common rythm.Even small kids know this kind of rythm.

    • @selladore4911
      @selladore4911 7 місяців тому

      i came here because i learned a song i like, Τα παιδιά της γειτονιάς σου, uses it

  • @viridianloom
    @viridianloom 3 роки тому +183

    You should do a video sometime on how to make 4/4 NOT sound like 4/4. Similar to how you explained there's a lot of ways you can write in 9/8 instead of three groups of three, there's also ways to "prog up" 4/4 :)

    • @colejohnson66
      @colejohnson66 3 роки тому +5

      16th note syncopation with eighth note triplets (12th notes) layered on top

    • @vaughanmacegan4012
      @vaughanmacegan4012 3 роки тому +9

      You could always use Poly-rhythms with one of the rhythms in 4/4, that should certainly prog it up.

    • @ivanbrasla
      @ivanbrasla 3 роки тому +8

      Tool - The Pot. I couldn't believe it was 4/4 at first

    • @colleenchapman3288
      @colleenchapman3288 3 роки тому +1

      That's kind of what this video is, although it's just one example: ua-cam.com/video/GhlLtd19szw/v-deo.html

    • @xcodychaosx
      @xcodychaosx 3 роки тому +3

      simply using odd subdivisions triplets quintuplets septuplets can give that feel switch them in and out and it can sound crazy and all over by just learning to count different subdivisions

  • @atakankoprulu5007
    @atakankoprulu5007 3 роки тому +23

    Video: Why is the 9/8 time signature so confusing?
    Random Turkish guy: Hold my Ayran

  • @aaronclift
    @aaronclift 3 роки тому +26

    Dave Brubeck introduced the 2 + 2 + 2 + 3 9/8 rhythm to Western audiences with “Blue Rondo a la Turk” (which was in turn inspired by Turkish music).

    • @derrickmelton5844
      @derrickmelton5844 3 роки тому

      I literally can't think of the song in my head as 9/8 which is what is quite funny to me...I always truncate it down to 7/8 because the frenzied rhythm makes me feel like the song wants to hurry along...but 9/8 is slightly delayed from 4/4 so it throws me off and I remember it as a 2 + 2 + 3 pattern

  • @IndependenceGuitar
    @IndependenceGuitar 3 роки тому +84

    Time signatures like this are the reason I encourage every musician to learn basic konnakol.

    • @SignalsMusicStudio
      @SignalsMusicStudio  3 роки тому +38

      TBH I would count nearly all of these as konnakol but I didn't want to open up that can of worms yet. One day I'll do a video on konnakol syllables and how/why I use them

    • @samuellickiss8463
      @samuellickiss8463 3 роки тому +6

      I love studying konnakol. It's tough, but so rewarding when your brain finally clicks! I agree - it's such a powerful exercise for any musician.

    • @IndependenceGuitar
      @IndependenceGuitar 3 роки тому +6

      @@samuellickiss8463 😆 yeah, i think the worst part was when it actually clicked, because I had been drilling it so much at that point, that everything I heard (people talking, random noise, literally everything) became a konnakol phrase to my brain, and it actually started to interfere with day to day life. It was hilarious, and really bad at the same time.

    • @Necrocidal
      @Necrocidal 3 роки тому +2

      Well I went down a nice wikipedia rabbit hole after googling "konnakol"

    • @IndependenceGuitar
      @IndependenceGuitar 3 роки тому +3

      @@Necrocidal oh noooooo... I’m sorry man, that’s one hairy rabbit hole to get caught up in. Not sure if you know who Matthias Ecklund is, but he has a pretty good basic explanation. ua-cam.com/video/wlY7rp9xm0I/v-deo.html

  • @hamzasalman6345
    @hamzasalman6345 3 роки тому +34

    I clicked in 9/8th of a second

  • @MaggaraMarine
    @MaggaraMarine 3 роки тому +6

    I feel like a lot of people here in comments who say "I'm feeling 9/8 as 3+3+3" or "I'm feeling 9/8 as 2+2+2+3" are missing the point. 9/8 shouldn't be felt in one way. The way you should feel 9/8 depends on the context. In older classical music, it's basically always 3+3+3 (and this is where the idea of 9/8 being a compound triple meter comes from - old theory books describe it in this way, because they focus on classical music, where this is the way 9/8 is felt, at least the vast majority of time). In more modern music, there are more options (either 3 groups of 3, or some combination of 3 groups of 2 and one group of 3).

  • @InventorZahran
    @InventorZahran 3 роки тому +17

    I often use 9/8 when transcribing waltzes with a swing rhythm, similar to how 6/8 can be used to transcribe a 4/4 swing.

  • @denselman
    @denselman 3 роки тому +31

    Genesis- “Supper’s Ready”, Apocalypse in 9/8. Tony Banks still plays in 4/4. Crazy.

    • @Aquatarkus96
      @Aquatarkus96 3 роки тому +8

      And it's so dramatic and big sounding too, who knew you could make a progression that's essentially just major chords sound so ominous and menacing! Really sells the end of the world vibe going on there

    • @jmcvcoelho
      @jmcvcoelho 3 роки тому +2

      Guitars go 4+3+2 and drums go 3+3+3 in some parts.

    • @MmadA-lg6ix
      @MmadA-lg6ix 3 роки тому +2

      Genesis seemed to love a bit of 9/8 in their music. Riding the Scree and ...In That Quiet Earth use it too.

    • @jackson9135
      @jackson9135 2 роки тому

      From what I know Tony also played a few bars of 7/8 over the 9/8 backing track.

  • @LTDLimiTeD1995
    @LTDLimiTeD1995 3 роки тому +14

    You'd be surprised how often 9/8 comes up in hymns, usually the form of 3 sets of triplets.

    • @lt3880
      @lt3880 2 роки тому +1

      thats the easiest way to digest it for me. its like how 12/8 is just 4/4 with triplets

  • @williambendix9957
    @williambendix9957 3 роки тому +16

    The song "jambi" by tool is actually a really good example of the difference grouping can make. The drums on the intro play the pseudo 4/4 you mention (1 and 2 and 3 and 4 trip let) and then in the verse the kick drum goes to more the compound feel (1 trip let 2 trip let 3 trip let)

    • @zekecardillo5008
      @zekecardillo5008 11 місяців тому +1

      i came to this video bc i’m trying to learn jambi on bass but the time signature was so odd to learn

  • @ariesmp
    @ariesmp 3 роки тому +11

    As soon as that 9th note hit, it was like Google earth zooming in on the Balkans.

  • @TheGerkuman
    @TheGerkuman 3 роки тому +5

    This is a very good explanation.
    All I would add is that if a person is counting above 6, it's generally useful to count 7 as 'sev' to keep to 1-sylable counting.

  • @ataberkyavas7476
    @ataberkyavas7476 3 роки тому +10

    In Turkey it's very common, especially in areas closer to Balkans. Gypsys love this for some reason, evey gypsy folk song is in 9/8 in Turkey.

  • @gwbuilder5779
    @gwbuilder5779 3 роки тому +14

    Thanks Jake! This is the first time I've ever heard someone describe 9/8 in a useful and practical manner. Harpsichord music was commonly written in 9/8, but never really explained very well. The funny thing is, when counted as triplets it's a standard waltz beat or rhythm. Not very modern, but quite practical.

  • @Outside998
    @Outside998 3 роки тому +16

    I wrote a song that uses 9/4. Odd time signatures groove so much.

    • @guitar864
      @guitar864 3 роки тому

      9/4 is an unusual signature to use. Sure it isn't 4/4 then 5/4?

    • @Outside998
      @Outside998 3 роки тому +3

      @@guitar864 Yes

    • @rome8180
      @rome8180 3 роки тому +1

      @@guitar864 how much does that distinction even matter? It just depends on how you mentally subdivide the phrase.

    • @guitar864
      @guitar864 3 роки тому

      @@rome8180 well, yeah - if you divide the phrase then it isn't 9/4. 9 counts of a 4th note per bar is an obsurdly long bar.

  • @TrueFileJunkie
    @TrueFileJunkie 3 роки тому +10

    "one-two-three-four-one-two-three-four-five-ONE" (grooves goes on) -> that sounded really cool and spooky, you should make a track using exclusively a drum track and your voice counting out beats as monotonously as possible while still stopping some times. Will have some nice creepy "numbers station" vibe.

  • @juanibiapina
    @juanibiapina 3 роки тому +10

    Both approaches are useful to me Jake. Thanks for actually bringing them both.

  • @jhbonarius
    @jhbonarius 3 роки тому +18

    4:50 I immediatly see why the grouping is important. As the hihat is not grouped differently for the second bar, I get confused with the bass timing

    • @SignalsMusicStudio
      @SignalsMusicStudio  3 роки тому +4

      Yeah I mention it in the description, it's an unfortunate error that I didn't catch till far too late!

  • @SignalsMusicStudio
    @SignalsMusicStudio  3 роки тому +6

    As always, check the description for a few important points and corrections :)

  • @54faustas
    @54faustas 3 роки тому +19

    Time to get Twista on the next DT album

    • @blackcitadel37
      @blackcitadel37 3 роки тому +2

      Maybe that's the only way to finally have LaBrie fired.

  • @deandreturner8034
    @deandreturner8034 3 роки тому +28

    "Clair de Lune" is 9/8 and doesn't have a mediterranean feel.

    • @SignalsMusicStudio
      @SignalsMusicStudio  3 роки тому +33

      It's funny cause that song specifically is always played with so much rubato that's very hard for me to hear any metric structure without looking at the sheet music

    • @phillipwalk3r
      @phillipwalk3r 3 роки тому +1

      3 + 3 + 3 like wtf why is no one thinking that

  • @liquidsolids9415
    @liquidsolids9415 3 роки тому +2

    This was really cool and inspirational. Thanks for another fantastic video. You’re a gifted teacher and really have a knack for simple explanations. Keep up the great work!

  • @andrewhertzberg6889
    @andrewhertzberg6889 3 роки тому +2

    Impressively clear explanation. The work you’ve put into the graphics and examples is really amazing. This is very high quality. Thank you.

  • @mhtbfecsq1
    @mhtbfecsq1 3 роки тому +1

    I like your style of teaching, nice pace, friendly, informative and clear, and inspiring. Thanks

  • @slimyelow
    @slimyelow 3 роки тому +2

    I always find the best explanations about complex rhythm stuff right here. SMS is awesome at this!

  • @samitavamondal7432
    @samitavamondal7432 3 роки тому +3

    I got your notification after so long Jake❤️, hope you are doing well :) your videos transformed my guitar playing from a clueless beginner to a confident intermediate over a past 1.5 years

  • @cassianopaim9120
    @cassianopaim9120 3 роки тому +2

    It's one of those your-timing-was-perfect situations for me. I have literally just finished a demo mix of a song I've made using only 9/8. Haven't watched the video yet, but now I'm looking forward to the insights you will provide. They may prove very useful to me! Thanks, anyway! You are great!

  • @13flaws18
    @13flaws18 3 роки тому +1

    Another great vid as always Jake. I really like these ones on rhythm and time signatures. Would love to see one on some tips to make smooth transitions between different time signatures.

  • @mauriciogambini
    @mauriciogambini 2 роки тому

    It was a great approach to provide visibility and understanding about the elements and variations regarding to the concepts. Thanks for another nice lesson , Jake !

  • @pesamesagisum
    @pesamesagisum 4 місяці тому

    The way you explained and demonstrated this makes this seem SO simple and straightforward. Thank you thank you thank you!!

  • @jakelarner4202
    @jakelarner4202 3 роки тому +2

    Thank you so much for this video man. I've been writing in 9 for a while and it's just really nice to have someone really flesh it out and contextualize how 9 works.

  • @EC2727
    @EC2727 3 роки тому +1

    I've already watched this video about 4 times. I always get so excited when Jake uploads a video, ESPECIALLY when it applies directly to stuff I am searching for, but without success! Perfect timing yet again, my friend. The only way it'd be better is if it was even sooner! ;D

  • @matthewmargetts8516
    @matthewmargetts8516 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you for this resource. I enjoy your pragmatic approach to teaching. Once again we can restate the age-old argument: "the creation should always lead the theory, not the theory (and theorists) leading the creation".

  • @G-Doggy
    @G-Doggy Рік тому

    You make music theory so easy to understand. I always learn something new from you. Thanks!

  • @dylansbjpm
    @dylansbjpm 3 роки тому +3

    The song Miracles Out of Nowhere by Kansas also makes really great use of 9/8 right at the beginning. It alternates between 4/4 and 9/8, and they even bring in 7/8 at some points. It’s a really interesting song to analyze when it comes to time signatures, in my opinion.

  • @jansestak954
    @jansestak954 3 роки тому +1

    Great video as always. When I write in less common time signatures, I like to write the subdivision as a text next to my music, so it's clear and I really watch my beaming as it can get pretty dense. Love those time signatures, because you can fluently shift between different subdivisions and play with listeners perspective. Suddenly you can shift from disjointed, herky jerky rythm to really fluent and groovy steady puls

  • @strazone7438
    @strazone7438 3 роки тому +3

    Great video Jake. 9/8 is definitely one of the strangest and most interesting time signatures out there.
    Try listening songs by Halid Beslic. He's a folk singer from Bosnia and Herzegovina, quite popular in the Balkans.
    His songs "Necu necu dijamante" and "Budi budi uvek srecna" are great examples of 9/8 used in folk music, and definitely are worth listening to.
    Also, "Nocas mi se s tobom spava" by late folk singer from Serbia, Saban Saulic, is also a great 9/8 folk song.
    Cheers

  • @quinnmitchel4075
    @quinnmitchel4075 3 роки тому +1

    5:52 thats the best grooves that fits over it I think

  • @SwappingIsSaving
    @SwappingIsSaving 3 роки тому +4

    I Hung My Head written by Sting is in 9/8. It has the backbeat on 3 and 8.

  • @adamgillespie3393
    @adamgillespie3393 3 роки тому +2

    In ireland 9/8 is a slipjig. Just 3 groups of 3. That's the way I automatically feel it

  • @tylersherkin9487
    @tylersherkin9487 3 роки тому

    Really great visualizations in this video!

  • @jacobflores8666
    @jacobflores8666 2 роки тому +5

    Honestly, the "traditional method" makes more sense to me. I came here looking for a way to count a 9/8 time signature for a piece that I'm writing (which I realized is naturally 9/8) and the fact that a compound meter breaks the 8th notes up into 3 sections of 3 beats makes so much more sense to me than anything. Also, just thought that I would point out that 16th notes are counted as "1-E-and-a".

    • @jeffgoblue
      @jeffgoblue 2 роки тому

      16th notes would be counted as “1-&-a” in a three-note grouping of 8th note and two 16th notes, which is what he was referring to. He doesn’t like using 1-&-a for a long beat 9/8 beat because to him, that means 8th + two 16th.
      I agree with you in the sense that I think learning the traditional version first makes more sense. That’s the starting point; then you move to the other variations.

    • @trevormcmanis
      @trevormcmanis 2 місяці тому

      Yes, I agree it is best to begin from the traditional approach to 9/8 as it it a Compound -Triple - Meter, written in three groups of three, as there are three strong beats represented by the dotted quarter note. Compound Meter is broken into groups of three , while duple meter is broken into groups of two. From here one can expand to the prog rock/fusion approach to mixing it up, " Feel Wise".

  • @eddiehazard3340
    @eddiehazard3340 2 роки тому

    I love your videos for the way you portray the info. Let me say with your voice, I'm surprised you aren't a DJ (do they exist anymore?) Keep it up, we use your videos! I was in bands in the early to late 90's. I discovered how to make beats sound interesting as my bassist really understood how to add funk to music to make it more "hooky". Ever since then I knew I had to learn how to do this. Well, I didn't. But now that I homeschool, I'm picking it up again and we use your videos a lot. Big thanks, you're really great at explaining it, and you bringing joy into the lives of those who are learning this. Of course, I smashed that "like" button on every one of your videos we watch. Stay safe and happy.

  • @nagy-one4212
    @nagy-one4212 2 роки тому

    Well explained, animation was awesome! , I played it twice and took notes, great content.

  • @kaanerylmaz9643
    @kaanerylmaz9643 3 роки тому

    This is a really good video man. Nice explanation.

  • @boladenon
    @boladenon 3 роки тому

    Really cool video. I was looking for some 9/8 time signature examples, but this is much better.

  • @arpenboyer3937
    @arpenboyer3937 2 роки тому

    Terrific video and your explanation was flawless. Years ago I played a snare drum in a pipes and drums band in Montreal, we had several tunes that had a 9/8 time signature and I always found them very fun to play and had an ineffable quality that was quite stirring.
    Thank you for a great views video!

  • @jeffgoblue
    @jeffgoblue 2 роки тому

    “I Hung My Head” by Sting is a terrific example of everything you discussed. It’s 9/8 with a 4-to-the-bar pulse, but with the second beat elongated:
    1-& 2-x-x 3-& 4-&
    The kick drum is on 1 and 3, and the snare is on 2 and 4, just like traditional 4/4; it’s just that beat 2 is long. But where it gets really interesting is when the high hat/ride cymbal come in. These are played as even quarter notes, so just like in your example, it alternates between feeling on the beat and off the beat. It’s very disorienting, in keeping with the lyrical content.
    The song has been covered famously by Johnny Cash, and Springsteen performed it for Sting. Both of them stuck with straight 4/4.

  • @tubularjay
    @tubularjay 3 роки тому

    7/8, 7/8, 7/8, 9/8 TUBULAR BELLS by Mike Oldfield, as it repeats the phrasing, it starts to feel like a 4/4, and is AMAZING! Such a GREAT groove.

  • @ModernGuitar
    @ModernGuitar 3 роки тому +1

    Excellent video ! You can check how Wagner is using 9/8 in the overture of Tannhauser. It starts in 3/4, and the accompaniement is progressively shifting to 9/8 , but keeping the main theme in 3/4. I think in this case, one could interpret that being triplet in 3/4, but it's easier to read as an 9/8 bar.

  • @JohnnyOlsson
    @JohnnyOlsson 3 роки тому +5

    This may already have been mentioned, but I think that when you let the ride play even quarter notes over two bars (and the riff also takes to bars to repeat) then we could just call it 9/4. But again, what matters isn't what is "formally correct" but what makes it understandable.

    • @SignalsMusicStudio
      @SignalsMusicStudio  3 роки тому +6

      Yep, I could say that the cymbal is playing in 9/4, but I'm really just exploring the options of 9/8 beyond a single measure of it. The rest of my band is clearly thinking about 2 measures of 9/8, and thats how I'd write it. But it's fun to play 9/4 on top as demonstrated!

    • @JohnnyOlsson
      @JohnnyOlsson 3 роки тому +2

      @@SignalsMusicStudio Either way, I think that the trick of letting a ride or hi-hat play play "straight" over two bars so that it falls on the offbeat half the time is a really neat trick and helps tie things together. I think the first time I heard and reflected on this was in Sting's "I Hung My Head". Great song, btw.

  • @marcvolgers8352
    @marcvolgers8352 2 роки тому

    I very much agree with what your saying (at around 12:30). I never had any formal musical training, I learned a lot a long the way from sheet music and books on theory (much later...). When I started playing guitar, I got myself a drum computer (Boss Dr. Rhythm). A measure was divided into 16th notes (for 4/4). You could change the length of a measure to create 7/8 or combine different lengths to create 9/8 or 5/4. Or you could switch to triplets. This made the measures really visualize. Later I started working with tab programs, first Tabledit and for quite a while Guitar Pro. But in my head, the way I used to program drums on my trusted Dr. Rhythm works through in how I think about rhythms, and particularly drums.
    When I got more into theory of (odd) time signatures I started to perceive measures as combinations of 2's and 3's (I think I got this idea from how time signatures were perceived in Hungarian dances, but it's a more common thought). So 4/4 can be 4 groupings of 2, or 3+3+2. And so on. This way you can combine most time signatures and it makes much more sense.
    So perceiving 9/8 only as 3x3 is incorrect and unnecessary limiting. I think it's a typical western (classical?) thought to have things neatly even divided. But life isn't always neatly divided. And still people have a hard time with uneven 9/8 times. Take for example Sting's I Hung My Head which is in 9/8 (5+4) which is also performed by Johnny Cash (American IV) and Bruce Stringsteen (live only as far as I know), but both straightened it out to 4/4 (in Cash version the guitar strums a 3+3+2 rhythm, in Springsteen version a straight 8th note pattern with no syncopation).

  • @blazingax05
    @blazingax05 3 роки тому +2

    apocalypse in 9/8 (Supper's Ready) by Genesis is my first introduction to 9/8!

  • @egesahin2498
    @egesahin2498 3 роки тому +1

    In Turkey we call 9/8 "the Romani style". The band MFÖ uses it as they make catchy Romani inspired music. Check out their song Ele güne karşı.

  •  3 роки тому +1

    your lessons are golden

  • @shaggydoozaid7143
    @shaggydoozaid7143 3 роки тому

    This was super helpful, thanks for the info!

  • @C.SchitzPopinov
    @C.SchitzPopinov 3 роки тому

    I found I always enjoy your tutorial videos

  • @brandonearley9624
    @brandonearley9624 3 роки тому +1

    Agreeed man! Preeeaaachh!! I’m so frustrated with getting my music BA right now.

  • @silvercrow86
    @silvercrow86 3 роки тому

    another mindblowing class! and not only theory or practice!!

  • @AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhliJj
    @AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhliJj 3 роки тому

    Please, please continue making this rhythms videos🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

  • @OneMoreGrave
    @OneMoreGrave 3 роки тому

    I really like your lessons. Every time I take a snipet and apply it I end up writing new music. Thank you for the inspiration.

  • @keyofdmusic
    @keyofdmusic 3 роки тому

    Another super useful tutorial. +1 on coming up with more useful nomenclature.

  • @RockStarOscarStern634
    @RockStarOscarStern634 Рік тому +1

    10:17 9/8 is basically 3/4 with Triplets on each beat. Likewise 18/16 (it's in the 26th Variation in Bach's Goldberg Variations) is basically 3/4 with Sextuplets on each beat. The difference lies within how they're written, but other than that it's all the same

  • @spotwms8768
    @spotwms8768 Рік тому

    The 1st 6 minutes were VERY helpful with counting the 9/8 notes. Seeing 👀 nites and hearing you the count. Thanks!!

  • @snieznybalwan
    @snieznybalwan 3 роки тому +1

    I love playing around with 9/8! It's not as easy as it seems, and there are so many ways to count it and create different, cool rhythms

  • @KE010101
    @KE010101 2 роки тому

    Super informative video thanks a lot for clearing this up.

  • @genesevox7403
    @genesevox7403 Рік тому

    Very helpful brother. Thank You!

  • @matildastanford7019
    @matildastanford7019 3 роки тому

    Thanks patreons, for supporting Jake help those of us who are not in the financial position to do so and cannot afford music lessons. I really do appreciate all of you guys!❤👍
    And Thank you Jake this lesson did help clear the confusion I've had since 'learning' music theory in school, actually all of your lessons do.
    ✌🙂👍❤🇦🇺

  • @buxeessingh2571
    @buxeessingh2571 3 роки тому +1

    Check out "In Old England Town" by the Electric Light Orchestra for the 3×2+3 feel.

  • @flavy1000
    @flavy1000 Рік тому

    One of the best videos out there about polyrythms....

  • @cactustactics
    @cactustactics 3 роки тому +1

    I've always felt this way too, that ?/8 is really about grouping those 8th notes with a triplet feel somewhere, which ends up giving it a certain rhythmic style no matter how you group the others.
    I like describing stuff like the opening riff of Unsung by Helmet as 8/8 - it's eight 8th notes, so technically that's like 4/4 subdivided, but it has that specific triplet DA-na-na DA-na-na DA-na rhythm that 4/4 doesn't really imply at all.
    I've talked to more theory-minded people about it and they say it's the wrong way to look at it, but I just find it more helpful! It's the same basic idea behind 3/4 vs 6/8, just with that "group stuff as triplets" approach applied to any number of 8th notes, not just multiples of three because that's the rule.
    Plus I don't think it's too helpful to stick rigidly to a system that was created to describe music, but isn't doing too well with specific ideas right now (or overcomplicates them by trying to crowbar them into the established rules and definitions). That's not saying throw 18th century European music theory out or anything, just that sometimes it's good to stretch it a bit!

  • @tasosanastasiou6962
    @tasosanastasiou6962 2 роки тому

    Great video. It helped me a lot in understanding 9/8

  • @rg46979
    @rg46979 3 роки тому

    You have the best theory vids.

  • @L4zEGaming
    @L4zEGaming 3 роки тому

    I think it was a good idea to show a general creative approach to 9/8 before a steady compound triple meter feel. it starts the viewer off with the creativity mindset. really well made video!

  • @robinHobin
    @robinHobin Рік тому

    9/8 feels EXTREMELY powerful for some reason and now I've gotta use it

  • @darrensmusicstudio
    @darrensmusicstudio 2 роки тому

    Great lesson!

  • @douchecraft3113
    @douchecraft3113 2 роки тому +1

    Ever try counting Seven as "Sev"? That helped me a lot with these abnormal time signatures!

  • @s90210h
    @s90210h 3 роки тому +2

    I see it as weights on a grid of accents projected.
    A player can purposefully slip some of these accents and deftly move between rhythms.
    If you're into counting and secrets in music, check out the music of Jaki Liebezeit!

  • @lore6331
    @lore6331 3 роки тому +4

    Never clicked on a notification so fast. Love your rhythm videos, thanks for everything!

  • @Valkanry
    @Valkanry 3 роки тому

    This was great. Really helped me understand Rhythms better.

  • @2giantmonsters
    @2giantmonsters 3 роки тому

    Thank you. Very enlightening

  • @Theblueshark27
    @Theblueshark27 3 роки тому +6

    Altered Beast II by King Gizzard and the Lizard makes use of 9/8, as I'm sure many of their other songs do

    • @Chris-mc2dt
      @Chris-mc2dt 3 роки тому

      Altered Beast II is best Altered Beast

    • @atharvachoudhary6974
      @atharvachoudhary6974 2 роки тому

      King Gizzard uses 9/8 quite a lot. One of their recent songs 'Interior People' is in 9/4, and another one 'Catching Smoke' goes 3 bars of 4/4 and 1 bar of 9/8

  • @ironicfib3r943
    @ironicfib3r943 3 роки тому +1

    I recently made a jam in 17/16 which is the most brain-hurty time signature I’ve used thus far

  • @nikk0k
    @nikk0k 3 роки тому +1

    I'm writing a song based on a riff in 9/8 right now, this was very helpful!

  • @jsderhd123ryfs
    @jsderhd123ryfs 3 роки тому

    Congratulations very good! Work fantastic!

  • @horurmartomasson1041
    @horurmartomasson1041 2 роки тому +1

    I don't get it. Maybe someone can explain.
    6/8 and 9/8 are well established as shorthand for 3+3/8 and 3+3+3/8.
    When you'd rather write in another specific meter like 2+2+2+3/8 or 3+4+2/8 you can just write that (using a narrow font if that helps).
    When you'd rather write in a meter that changes from measure to measure but always adds up to 9, you could make a note that your 9/8 signifies this, or, better yet, make up a modified symbol (like 9ᵐ/8 or something) instead of just 9/8. If other composers like it they'll adopt it and it'll end up as the standard notation for a freely changing meter that adds up to a count. (9/8 is already standard notation for one specific meter that adds up to 9.)

  • @VArsovski10
    @VArsovski10 3 роки тому +1

    5:50, this sounds like a Jazz version of Dream Theater
    7:02: there we go :D
    Also, "traditional" depends on region, in Asia/eastern-Europe the traditional/folklore is 2+2+2+3, whilest in the west is 3+3+3 (which is the obvious time beat that Waltz)
    Thanks for a nice and thorough vid, learned quite a few things even if knew some others :)

  • @geologist5838
    @geologist5838 2 роки тому +1

    I always listened to Clair de lune by Debussy and thought that he intentionally ''stayed too long'' on the last chord or note, but I never considered that was actually the time signature

  • @frenchiesfrankieandhenry
    @frenchiesfrankieandhenry 3 роки тому

    Great video, Jake. My old drummer really helped me understand feels and accents.

  • @HarlanHarvey76
    @HarlanHarvey76 3 роки тому +1

    You create the best guitar lesson videos imho

  • @TheProgSchool
    @TheProgSchool 3 роки тому

    It’s fun to go back and forth between the duple and compound meter feels in 9/8. It’s a really simple way to get the feeling of a metric modulation.
    I also agree that the best way to view these type of meters is to figure out all the different subdivisions you can use and go from there. There’s no right or wrong approach!

  • @xziggy_stardustx6786
    @xziggy_stardustx6786 3 роки тому

    The "early" kick drum sounds good. It'd lend itself to a steady funk groove where the changes occur over the rhythmic anomaly -- like: Cm7 ( 1 - 2 - 3 - 4) Fm7 (and) Gm7 (a) Cm7 ( 1 - 2 - 3 - 4) Fm7 (and) Gm7 (a)

  • @certainlynotthebestpianist5638
    @certainlynotthebestpianist5638 3 роки тому +1

    About the counting - I personally would count the 3x3/8 as "one-two-three, two-two-three, three-two-three", just as I count regular 6/8 as "one-two-three, two-two-three" :)

  • @Rael0505
    @Rael0505 2 роки тому

    this video is so well explained

  • @slimyelow
    @slimyelow 3 роки тому +3

    These rhythmic aspects add to the reasons why Ravel's compositions and orchestration never get boring.

  • @rhythmicallydivine
    @rhythmicallydivine 3 роки тому +1

    I really want to hear a 9/8 version of run to the hills now