semi - demi quavers values

by Melrica Arendse
(Strandfontein , Cape Town )

if the timing is 7/8 how's it possible that there's only 4 notes in a bar ?

Comments for semi - demi quavers values

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 10, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Notes and Beats in a Bar
by: Anonymous

There is no requirement for the number of notes in a bar to correspond to the number of beats in a bar; only that the duration of all the notes and rests in the bar adds up in total to the number of beats.
So in a bar of 4:4 you could see a single semibreve; 2 minims; 4 crotchets; 8 quavers; 16 semi quavers; 32 demi semi quavers or any combination of these as long as they added up to 4 crotchet beats.
To answer your question directly; in 7:8 there are 7 eighth notes (quavers) in a bar so 3 crotchets and a quaver would do as together this would add up to 7 8th notes. So would a minim, 2 quavers and 2 semi quavers.
The important thing would be maintain identity with the pulse so accurate beaming would be essential. Musicians need to be able to see where the beats fall.
In 7:8 this is usually expressed so as to give a 4 followed by 3 beat feel with the emphasis on the 1st and 5th beat or 3 beats followed by 4 with the emphasis on the 1st and 4th beats but you could use accents to give any feel you wanted as long as musicians could play it.
Beaming across the weak beats should be avoided as this makes it harder to feel the groove. For example, a dotted minim followed by a quaver, although arithmetically correct, would be difficult as it would "hide" the 4/3 or 3/4 feel. Tied notes would be better.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Music Theory Questions.

A Clear Path To Learning Music Theory

essential music theory book learn to read music

For more help check out my new theory book Essential Music Theory: Learn To Read And Appreciate Music Vol. 1 available for iPad and Mac OS.

  • A simple step-by-step course that takes you from complete beginner to grade 2 music theory
  • Multi-faceted learning - audio, video, mind maps, clear musical examples 
  • Built in quizzes to check your understanding

Click here for more information.

Or get it on the iBooks Store!