Music Theory Lesson: What are Time Signatures, Bars and Barlines?

Today we will be looking at some other important aspect of the music: Time Signatures, Bars and Barlines.

First let us discuss the meaning of the term "Time Signature".
Time Signatures are musical symbols that tells us number of beats or counts that are in each bar of a piece of music. There are different types of time signature but today we will only look at "Simple Time Signatures". Time Signatures are numbers written above each other that appears at the beginning of a piece of music after the clef sign. Below are examples of simple time signatures.

Each time signature has its own meaning and function in music.

Now let us take a look at how each time signature is presented on the staff and the meaning of each.

When you see this time signature on the staff it means that there are two beats or counts in each bar.

This time signature tells us that there are three beats or counts in each bar.

This time signature means that there are four beats or counts in each bar.

N.B. >  There will be a follow up lesson on time signature, explaining the concept in more details.

Now what are Bars and Barlines?

"Bars or Measures" are divided sections on the staff or stave on which musical notes are written. Each bar includes specfic notes or rest based on the time signatue used. Bars or Measures are formed by barlines. Barlines are vertical lines that are used to separate each bar on a piece of sheet music.

The diagram below should explain.

Here you see that the area on which musical notes, rest and other symbols are written is called a bar or measure. Bars or measures cannot be formed unless there are barlines.

Barlines are used throughtout the entire music but a double barline is used when the music comes to an end.

Here is an example of a double barline.

Thanks for participating in todays lesson. Have a wonderful day and remember to subsribe or leave your comments. 

Amazon, a geart place to buy all your music books.

Hi my friends. I just want to remind you that there are a number of books on amazon that will help in developing your approach and techniques in music.

Make use of this great resource centre. Visit them today. Click any amazon link that is located on this site.

www.BrucieRiddims.com

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Bob Marley - The Great Reggae Artiste Ever.

Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley) is no doubt the greatest and most popular reggae artiste of all times. Even though he is not around he is still touching the lives of many individuals around the globe.

Bob Marley was born on February 6 1945 in St. Ann, Jamaica. His passion was music and so he dedicated his life to it. His career in music grew to maturity but he was taken away by the most feared sickness – cancer. He died on May 11, 1981.

May 11, 2011 makes it 30 years since Bob Marley have passed. But we still remember some of his greatest hits and still sing them today.

It is our duty to preserve this part of our musical heritage so that generations to come will enjoy it.

Let now listen to this message from Bob Marley.

ONE LOVE

Teach yourself how to play a musical instrument and how to understand music theory.

Hi guys! I hope you are enjoying life.

In this modern era there should be no complainning about resources. Today individuals can teach themselves how to play a musical instrument to some level by just browsing the internet.

The information that I have posted on this blog is very useful. I enjoy sharing information because there are persons searching for answers. Please feel free to subscribe and take advantage of the information that I have shared over the passed few months.

Have a great day!

PIANO LESSON - PLAYING G & D MAJOR SCALES ON THE PIANO. (LEARN PIANO LESSONS TODAY)

It has been a while since our last piano/keyboard lesson. In our last piano lesson  an article was done on the concept of major scales. The term "Major Scale" was defined and illustrations were showning how to play the C major scale on the piano.

Today I will be showing you some illustration as to how you can play the G and D major with the right and left hand on the piano.

For those of you who would like to view the previous piano lesson on major scales you can click here.

Let's begin! First let us take a look at both G and D major scales.

G Major Scale

D Major Scale

It is very important that you look carefully at the notes used for each scale. In G major scale you will play the all the notes in the natural or white key except for F sharp. When playing the D major scale you will play D, E, G, A, B as natural keys but F sharp and C sharp will be played on the specific black key assigned to them.

If you are not clear as to how to find the sharp keys, please click here for a lesson on that topic.

Below are illustrations showing you how to play the G and D major scale on the piano. Please try and analyse the techniques used.

ILLUSTRATIONS FOR G MAJOR SCALE

1.

2.

ILLUSTRATIONS FOR D MAJOR SCALE

1.


2.

 NB - (RIGHT FINGERS IN ILLUSTRATION 2 FOR D MAJOR SCALE SHOULD BE LEFT FINGERS)

The illustrations are clear and simple, once you have the basic knowledge of the letters of the keyboard then you will be able to play them.
Play each scale slowly first then increase in speed as you go along. Play the scales using each hand separately until you can play them fluently. Then try playing the scales using both hands at the same time.


Copyright (c) May 2011 by Carlinton Singh. Please remember to subscribe and leave a comment.

Music lessons - Free piano, guitar and music theory lessons for children and adults.

Hi! Today is an excellent day to take advantage of the free music lessons that I have posted on my blog. I have provided articles on the following;

Music Theory
Piano Lessons for Beginners
Guitar Lessons for Beginners

It is my intention to posted as much musical articles for those persons who want to do a career in music or just wish to have music as a part of their daily or weekly activities.

Feel free to take a look at each article located to the right side of this blog.

Have a wonderful day and look out for the next lesson.

MUSIC THEORY - THE LETTER NAMES OF THE BASS STAFF

In our last theory lesson we had discussions on the Treble Staff. Today I will be sharing some vital information about the Bass Staff. The bass staff is basically the staff or stave with the bass clef placed at the beginning. Here is an example below:

The bass staff represents notes of low pitch and so instruments such as the bass guitar, trombone, tuba, double bass play notes that are written on this staff. Like the treble staff, each line and space of the bass staff is represented by a specific letter from the musical alphabet (A, B, C, D, E, F & G).

The lines and spaces are placed in sequence and so this makes it easy for individuals to remember the letter names of each line and space. The diagram below should give you a better understanding:

The diagram above is telling us that the letter names of the lines are G, B, D, F & A and the letter names of the spaces are A, C, E & G.

The diagram below shows the letters of the bass staff in sequence of line, space, line, space etc.

 I hope you have learnt something from this lesson. Have a good day.

Copyright (c) April 2011.