time signature, I need advice (musicians like Greg etc.)

Hi,

I would like to ask if somebody can give me a good advice which time signature should I use for a song “A Winter’s Tale”? I am trying to make some simple accompaniment/arrangement for piano but I am little confused. First I tried 4/4 but then I later discovered that it sounds better with triplets in 4/4 which is like 12/8 time signature (one triplet with eighth notes per beat, 4 triplets in one bar: 4*3 = 12notes). I also helped myself with MIDIs and there are 12/8, 6/8 and 4/4, depends on which MIDI you use.

Maybe I am confused because both 4/4 and 12/8 have 4 beats per bar, but I believe it is 12/8 the right TS or 6/8 - for 6/8 I would use just one chord per bar instead of two. (I never had a lessons or went to music school etc.)

I would be very grateful if anyone can help me out here.

Thanks.

Sorry for my English

yes, 6/8 is fine!

I'd say 6/8, counting one chord per bar just as you said. The difficulty lies in the orchestral parts, some of which are a tempo (no defined beat) or slowed down considerably. Use Roger's ride cymbal as a guide, it goes on steadily throughout most of the song.

Thanks for your help (both of you). I appreciate this. Maybe one more question: do you think I can just use 12/8 because it will sounds the same? The same notes, same value, it would be like having 2 bars in one bar (two chords per bar) the performance will be the same.

I am asking because I already did something in 12/8 but the program doesn’t support “transformation” from 12/8 to 6/8 – to split the bars on half. If I do this, the program “eats” half of the notes, that’s why maybe it is OK to just leave it in 12/8, otherwise I need to start from beginning. You need to compose in the right time signature already form the beginning.


Thanks,

[QUOTE] [b]Fireplace wrote:[/b]

Use Roger's ride cymbal as a guide, it goes on steadily throughout most of the song. [/QUOTE]

Actually, they're machine-generated cymbals, not played by Roger.

[QUOTE] [b]Sebastian wrote:[/b]

[QUOTE] [b]Fireplace wrote:[/b]

Use Roger's ride cymbal as a guide, it goes on steadily throughout most of the song. [/QUOTE]

Actually, they're machine-generated cymbals, not played by Roger.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, now I'll be able to sleep tonight :-)

[QUOTE] [b]ZBGM0 wrote:[/b]

Thanks for your help (both of you). I appreciate this. Maybe one more question: do you think I can just use 12/8 because it will sounds the same? The same notes, same value, it would be like having 2 bars in one bar (two chords per bar) the performance will be the same.

I am asking because I already did something in 12/8 but the program doesn’t support “transformation” from 12/8 to 6/8 – to split the bars on half. If I do this, the program “eats” half of the notes, that’s why maybe it is OK to just leave it in 12/8, otherwise I need to start from beginning. You need to compose in the right time signature already form the beginning.


Thanks,
[/QUOTE]

Shouldn't be a problem. Depending on what DAW/sequencer you're using, the program is problably eating your notes because it is set to automatically quantize at the time signature you've chosen. If this is the case, you can probably disable that function somewhere wihtin the program. If not, no big deal. 12/8 should work just as well.

[QUOTE] [b]Fireplace wrote:[/b]

[QUOTE] [b]Sebastian wrote:[/b]

[QUOTE] [b]Fireplace wrote:[/b]

Use Roger's ride cymbal as a guide, it goes on steadily throughout most of the song. [/QUOTE]

Actually, they're machine-generated cymbals, not played by Roger.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, now I'll be able to sleep tonight :-)[/QUOTE]

In "Winters Tale" ?!

I beg to differ.
To me they are definitely real drums. The trademark opening of the hihat and the very laidback fills are not computer generated.

On the middle-eight there's a real acoustic drum kit, otherwise it's programmed.

Ok. The part where there is only ride cymbal playing and stick/rim-clap that might be a drum machine/programmed drums. On the parts there are hi-hat and a snare, it's definitely real drums.

One more example, why a "Queen Anthology" would be great. It would be nice to hear these 3 Made in Heaven songs in a way they were BEFORE 1993 the wok commenced on them again. I bet they were all just drum machine with maybe programmed bass?

'Mother Love' has real bass, which was recorded in May 1991.

I completely agree that such outtakes, working versions, etc., would be great, but they have other priorities, such as re-re-re-re-re-re-re-releasing 'Greatest Hits' and touring with an AI loser.

Thanks Fireplace.....

[QUOTE] [b]Sebastian wrote:[/b]


I completely agree that such outtakes, working versions, etc., would be great, but they have other priorities, such as re-re-re-re-re-re-re-releasing 'Greatest Hits' and touring with an AI loser.[/QUOTE]

exactly

I've always associated 12/8 with (old rhythm 'n') blues music, because the time signature is somehow based on the drum patterns - it takes twelve 8th-notes to complete a certain kind of blues drum pattern. 6/8 clearly has a feel something more akin to waltz, and A Winter's Tale certainly feels more waltzy than bluesy.

Thank you all, maybe one more question: which time signature would you use in »My Melancholy Blues«? Very interesting song. On Queensongs.info there is 4/4, but is that the right TS? Also if I open MIDI in a program there is 4/4 but there is so many bars with 4 triplets (4*3 eight notes) that it gives me impression of 12/8 , I am not really sure. But when I listen drums then I have impression that it is 4/4. It sounds little like jazz style and I am little confused.