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Topic: Two Time Signatures (Read 3347 times) previous topic - next topic

Two Time Signatures

I just came across this in a song we're doing in choir.  There are TWO time signatures partway through the song, one right after the other.  In this case, it is 6/8 followed by 3/4.  I have a VERY vague idea of what that does, but some clarification would be appreciated.

Okay, so the visual on that is really easy.  Just put in two time signatures.  But what about the way it plays?  Will it make any difference at all?  If so, is there any way to make that happen in Noteworthy?

Thanks,
Bruce

Re: Two Time Signatures

Reply #1 –
I think, generally, that 6/8 means 2 beats, with each beat
consisting of 3 eighth notes.  The first beat gets somewhat
more stressed than the second beat.

3/4 means three beats, with each beat consisting of one
quarter note.  The first beat gets somewhat more stressed
than the second and third beats.

I think NWC will play 6/8 and 3/4 the same way, but the
beaming will be different.  NWC seems to beam together the
notes within a beat.  So, in a 3/4 measure full of eighth notes,
two eighth notes will be beamed together. In a 6/8 measure full
of eighth notes, three eighth notes will be beamed.

Re: Two Time Signatures

Reply #2 –
I think the doubled time signature means the composer wants the effect of someone playing two triplet figures in a bar against someone else playing three beats in straight time.  What you have then is

STRONG          WEAK          WEAK      playing against
Strong weak weak  Strong weak weak

NWC will interpret the second time signature as cancelling the first one, so it will beam in accordance with the second one.

I would suggest beaming manually.  Playback would be ok if the two signatures were on different staffs.  You can fake the key signatures on both staffs this way:

For 3/4 followed by 6/8, beamed for 3/4 - either remove the 6/8 before automatic beaming, then add it back after,  or add another, hidden 3/4 after the 6/8.  If you need both on the same staff, write them on separate staves and layer them.  Hide whatever looks ugly.

Re: Two Time Signatures

Reply #3 –
I have seen this same thing before (although I can't recall exactly where) and in this case it meant that the following bars alternated from one time signature to the other. It was easier than putting a new time signature on each bar.

Re: Two Time Signatures

Reply #4 –
Thanks, guys, that helps a lot.

However, I have another, basically unrelated question.

In other strings in this forum, I have seen noteworthy composer notation that can simply be copied into a blank staff and will then translate into notes.  I know how to copy the notes into text, but what about the places I've seen where (in cases where there was a large amount of text) there is a box that contained the text into a smaller area that could be scrolled through?  When they did that, their post was a lot easier to read.  Is it possible for anyone to do that?  Or is it a special access thing?  It's been bugging me a little bit, and I just thought I'd ask.

Thanks!

Bruce R. Kyte

Re: Two Time Signatures

Reply #5 –
It's a feature in version 2 and I think you've only found it in the NWC2 forum.

You just highlight the part of a staff you want to copy, then paste it into a message on the NWC2 forum.

Anyone can then highlight it, and copy it into NWC2.

It's handy for showing someone what you've done so they can figure out the problem you need help with.

One more good reason to upgrade to version 2.

Re: Two Time Signatures

Reply #6 –
I agree with Reply 3 by David Barnes, and I'm willing to bet that it's a piece by John Rutter
(or else "I want to live in A-mer-i-ca!" from West Side Story...).
 

Re: Two Time Signatures

Reply #7 –
I saw this a long time ago. Possibly a Gianinni Symphony for band. It meant that part of the band had a 3/4 feel at the same time that others had a 6/8 feel. And of course, it shifted around. It was a total 3 against 2 experience.
If was counted off either in 3 or 2 (literally).