I know this is not rocket science to most of you but I am taking my grade 1 clarinet in a couple of weeks. I have to be able to tap out the pulse and say whether it is 2 or 3.
I can tap it out but haven a clue as to whether its a 2 or a 3.
Can anybody help.
Full Version: Tapping The Pulse
At this stage, the examiner will make it quite clear which is which in the way they play the different tempi. However, listen carefully (but bear in mind you won't have long!) as they will always emphasise the first beat. So..
* if it's strong/weak, strong/weak..it's guaranteed to be 2 beats per bar. (2/4 is known as the march tempo. Try and "feel" the left/right left/right pulse in the music)
* if it's strong/weak/weak then this is 3/4. This is known as the waltz tempo, so try and "feel" the 1,2,3, 1,2,3 pulse per bar.
Try and listen to, or play as many pieces of music as you can with these time signatures between now and the exam. That way, you'll soon get to recognise the difference between the two. If you have a teacher who plays piano, ask him/her to play tunes for you too so that you can practice clapping along.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
* if it's strong/weak, strong/weak..it's guaranteed to be 2 beats per bar. (2/4 is known as the march tempo. Try and "feel" the left/right left/right pulse in the music)
* if it's strong/weak/weak then this is 3/4. This is known as the waltz tempo, so try and "feel" the 1,2,3, 1,2,3 pulse per bar.
Try and listen to, or play as many pieces of music as you can with these time signatures between now and the exam. That way, you'll soon get to recognise the difference between the two. If you have a teacher who plays piano, ask him/her to play tunes for you too so that you can practice clapping along.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
Oh dear... looks like we may have two threads running on the same topic - david123 I think you double posted by mistake. I replied in the other one!
It's a bit like how you tend to subconsciously find the beat and tap your feet to a tune.
One way you can think about it is 3 time would be a "dancing" tune - ie: a waltz, so if you can imagine people doing a "1-2-3" dance to it.
Listen to the left hand particularly though, as they may play something that sounds 1-2-3-4-5-6 in the right hand but which has 1-2 in the left hand... that would sound like 6/8 (?), which would effectively be 2 time if I remember correctly.
One way you can think about it is 3 time would be a "dancing" tune - ie: a waltz, so if you can imagine people doing a "1-2-3" dance to it.
Listen to the left hand particularly though, as they may play something that sounds 1-2-3-4-5-6 in the right hand but which has 1-2 in the left hand... that would sound like 6/8 (?), which would effectively be 2 time if I remember correctly.
QUOTE(Solari @ Jun 26 2009, 08:10 AM) 
It's a bit like how you tend to subconsciously find the beat and tap your feet to a tune.
Listen to the left hand particularly though, as they may play something that sounds 1-2-3-4-5-6 in the right hand but which has 1-2 in the left hand... that would sound like 6/8 (?), which would effectively be 2 time if I remember correctly.
Which would be compound time, and which if I remember correctly is not tested at grade one.
QUOTE(maggiemay @ Jun 26 2009, 08:15 AM)
QUOTE(Solari @ Jun 26 2009, 08:10 AM)
It's a bit like how you tend to subconsciously find the beat and tap your feet to a tune.
Listen to the left hand particularly though, as they may play something that sounds 1-2-3-4-5-6 in the right hand but which has 1-2 in the left hand... that would sound like 6/8 (?), which would effectively be 2 time if I remember correctly.
Which would be compound time, and which if I remember correctly is not tested at grade one.
Fairy nuff
When listening to the piece, does it sound like a waltz (3) or a march (2)
Examiners are normally quite good at putting extra stress on the first beat in the bar. So does it go:
BANG tap tap BANG tap tap
or BANG tap BANG tap
Examiners are normally quite good at putting extra stress on the first beat in the bar. So does it go:
BANG tap tap BANG tap tap
or BANG tap BANG tap
Thanks guy's
That has helped a lot. I will take on board what you have said and go and listen to the CD. Now that I know what to listen out for, I am sure it will come to me.
The march/walz bit helps a lot
Sory about the double post
, not sure what happened there....must put more tonic in the Gin 
That has helped a lot. I will take on board what you have said and go and listen to the CD. Now that I know what to listen out for, I am sure it will come to me.
The march/walz bit helps a lot
Sory about the double post
, not sure what happened there....must put more tonic in the Gin
David you have had some excellent advice and all will be very clear in the exam so dont worry.
I know you will be fine, enjoy the experience and the music you play...you will romp home, if you smile and appear to enjoy it the examiner will enjoy it too.
Good luck
Andrew
I know you will be fine, enjoy the experience and the music you play...you will romp home, if you smile and appear to enjoy it the examiner will enjoy it too.
Good luck
Andrew
One thing to add, for future music development - don't leave it until exams or exam practice to practice. Get it into the habit of tapping the pulse whatever you're listening to. If that gets too easy subdivide, and subdivide again. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of starting too take music seriously is that it becomes increasingly difficult to just listen and enjoy.
Thank you for all your support and advice. It really is appreciated
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