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Topic starter
24/05/2005 11:13 pm
How, just HOW am I supposed to count in 2 AND A HALF/8 meter???? It gets better. The piece we are playing in band is considered possibly the hardest ever written for high school band, and I play oboe, considered by more than the hardest instrument to get a good sound out of. This piece changes time signatures nearly every measure for 3 of the movements, and forget about 5/4, that's cake compared to the constantly shifting rythms in this piece. I forget the composer's exact name, but it's arranged for military band and has something to do with sailors. Could someone please count some of these meters out for me or something just so I can feel them?
The meaning of life? I've never heard a simpler question! Music.
25/05/2005 2:09 am
Well, 2 and a half/ 8 time would be (unless i'm mistaken) five 16th notes to a bar, because if i know my fractions:
2.5 / 8 = 5 / 16
I never seen this or even imagined this time signature being played but try to imagine that you are playing in 5/4, and imagine that all the 16th notes are quarter notes, all 8th notes are half notes and all quarter notes are whole notes, this will kind of give you the feel of what the song will sound like, but it definitly sounds like a piece you'll need to practice alot.
Steve-0
Topic starter
26/05/2005 9:51 pm
quick update- the piece is the lincolnshire posy arranged for military band
Thanks for the easy explenation, it has helped!
The meaning of life? I've never heard a simpler question! Music.
26/05/2005 11:57 pm
Grainger must be in vogue this year - I heard a band perform that piece earlier this week.
2-1/2 over 8 is a 'fractional' time signature. They're not very common. It means you'll play 2-1/2 beats in each measure, with an eighth note marking the beat.
It's essentially 5/8 time, but with an extra primary beat coming on the 'and' after three. You could count it in five, and play an accent there (watch the conductor for placement of the 'extra' accent on the downbeat), or you can skip the 'and' in your count:
ONE-and-two-and-three-ONE-and-two-and-three-ONE etc.
Guitar teacher offering lessons in Plainfield IL
27/05/2005 12:48 am
Hey, I thought you might find this fun... from the composer notes on the piece at the Philharmonic Winds website:
Grainger himself conducted the premiere on 7 March 1937, on which occasion only three of the six movements were played. The premiere resulted in a great fiasco. The band was composed of local professional musicians who had a great deal of difficulty playing the irregular rhythms and 'free time'-bars. In the preface of the subsequent published score, Grainger explains to bandleaders that the only players likely to balk at those rhythms were seasoned bandsmen, who 'think more of their beer than of their music'.
Guitar teacher offering lessons in Plainfield IL
27/05/2005 3:29 am
:shock:
check out my website for good recording/playing info
Topic starter
12/06/2005 9:59 pm
hahaha. You caught me. I need my guiness to perform at any level of competency. :lol:
The meaning of life? I've never heard a simpler question! Music.