Time Signatures
The true purpose of time signatures is to describe certain accents. Accents can happen wherever the composer wants them to, but some accents typically happen naturally due to the time signature. When the bottom number is 4, the strongest accent is typically on the first beat, "1". So in 4/4, where the bold number is loudest, you'd count "1 2 3 4" and 3 would also be a little loud in 4/4. In 2/4, you'd count "1 2." In 3/4, "1 2 3." When the bottom number is 8, you can give those 8th notes a triplet or duplet "feel." So 6/8 could be "1 2 3 4 5 6" or "1 2 3 4 5 6 ."
Polyrhythms
Polyrhythms are two or more different grooves/rhythms in the same time signature and the same tempo. For example:
These could get much more complicated, especially when using different tuplets.
A cross rhythm is a type of polyrhythm in which a new rhythm/groove will contradict (almost "fight") the natural accents of the main time signature.
Polymeters
A polymeter is when two or more "meters" or time signatures are played at the same time. One instrument could play 4/4 while another plays 3/4 and this is how they would line up:
4/4: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
3/4: 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1
Both instruments would have accents on their "one"s.
Dynamics
This is something I should have discussed in lesson 1 and I apologize, this series is a bit disorganized but I'll try to avoid such mistakes in any future series.
In sheet music, a p means to play that note softer. f means to play louder. There can be multiple "p"s or "f"s to describe how soft or loud, but typically the maximum is 3. The dynamics can be made more subtle by placing an "m" next to the "p" or "f". A "crescendo" is when the notes gradually get louder. A "decrescendo" is when they gradually become quiett.
--crescendo
--decrescendo
An "accent" has already been described, but accents that don't fall naturally into the time signature can be notated otherwise:
The first note would be played "staccato." Staccato notes are quickly silenced to create separation between it and the next note.
The second note would be played "staccatissimo," a more intense staccato, a shorter lasting note.
The third note would be played "marcato," a very loud accent.
The fourth note has an average accent mark.
The final note, "tenuto," can have three different meanings: 1) that a note is played longer than full value, 2) that a note should be played a bit louder or 3) the note should be separated with some space from the surrounding notes. Study the composition you're reading carefully before assuming which the tenuto means, sheet music often needs to be interperated in ways other than what is exactly written.
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