Time signatures, advice on counting off correctly
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Time signatures, advice on counting off correctly
We have a small Gospel group goin, and need to know how to count off our songs so everbody in the band can start at the same time. So, how would you count off 4/4 timing, 2/4 timing, 3/4 timing, and 6/8 timing. I know there are different feels like country shuffle, Ray Price shuffle, straight eight feel etc. But in general how would you count off the above time signatures? Thanks
Terry
Terry
- Gordon Borland
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Know the beat
You must know the beat the kick off starts on.
You then start the count off with that beat number for the kick off.
in 4/4 time.
In on 2.
count 2,3,4,1, start.
In on 1.
count 1,2,3,4, start.
In on 3 and,
count and,4 and, 1 and, 2 and, 3 start.
In 3/4 time.
in on 2
count 2,3,1,start.
in on 1
count 1,2,3 start.
Others may have different ways.
God Bless
You then start the count off with that beat number for the kick off.
in 4/4 time.
In on 2.
count 2,3,4,1, start.
In on 1.
count 1,2,3,4, start.
In on 3 and,
count and,4 and, 1 and, 2 and, 3 start.
In 3/4 time.
in on 2
count 2,3,1,start.
in on 1
count 1,2,3 start.
Others may have different ways.
God Bless
Gordon Borland
MSA D10,1974 Fender twin reverb
MSA D10,1974 Fender twin reverb
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This is how I do it and how I like it done:
Start the count with "1", as it's important for everyone to know where the downbeat is. In the examples, commas indicate quarter rests; slashes indicate quarter notes.
4/4 shuffle or straight 8th: 1, 2, 1234 ; if there are pickups, leave out the appropriate numbers, eg.: 1, 2, 12// or 12341///.
3/4 time, 1,,2,,123123 or with a two note pickup: 1,,2,,1231//.
Fast 4/4 or cut time: 1,,,2,,,1,2,1234
If you don't know what the intro is going to be, just say something like: "Two bar count-put the pickups where ya want'em"
It's also helpful to snap, clap, whatever, on 2 & 4 (4/4) or 2 & 3 (3/4) to set the tempo and get everyone's attention before the actual count.
Start the count with "1", as it's important for everyone to know where the downbeat is. In the examples, commas indicate quarter rests; slashes indicate quarter notes.
4/4 shuffle or straight 8th: 1, 2, 1234 ; if there are pickups, leave out the appropriate numbers, eg.: 1, 2, 12// or 12341///.
3/4 time, 1,,2,,123123 or with a two note pickup: 1,,2,,1231//.
Fast 4/4 or cut time: 1,,,2,,,1,2,1234
If you don't know what the intro is going to be, just say something like: "Two bar count-put the pickups where ya want'em"
It's also helpful to snap, clap, whatever, on 2 & 4 (4/4) or 2 & 3 (3/4) to set the tempo and get everyone's attention before the actual count.
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Only if they are paying attentionIf you play with a band that you do not rehearse with, then you can forget it.
They will wait until you are finished with the intro and 3 bars into the song,
I can count off a song, but only if I am not the one kicking it off. For some reason I just can't do it.
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count off
Thanks Steve, that's more like what I was thinkin of.This is how I do it and how I like it done:
Start the count with "1", as it's important for everyone to know where the downbeat is. In the examples, commas indicate quarter rests; slashes indicate quarter notes.
4/4 shuffle or straight 8th: 1, 2, 1234 ; if there are pickups, leave out the appropriate numbers, eg.: 1, 2, 12// or 12341///.
3/4 time, 1,,2,,123123 or with a two note pickup: 1,,2,,1231//.
Fast 4/4 or cut time: 1,,,2,,,1,2,1234
If you don't know what the intro is going to be, just say something like: "Two bar count-put the pickups where ya want'em"
It's also helpful to snap, clap, whatever, on 2 & 4 (4/4) or 2 & 3 (3/4) to set the tempo and get everyone's attention before the actual count.
Thanks to all for replies.
Terry
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