Worship Time Signatures

[WorshipVanguard]

OK. This may be silly but I thought I might get everyone's input on this. I know most (if not all) praise/worship music is either in 4/4 or 6/8, mainly because congregations can clap on an easy beat; makes it easier for the musically-challenged. During those "response times" where the congregation is simply enjoying the worship moment in response to God (and not clapping), may a worship song be in a different time signature. For example, I have a song in 3/4 and the notes literally tie over into others where mainly the musically educated will know the time signature. The tune is nice and soft, and has an inviting melody. My question is essentially this: does time signature matter during a response time song?

So, when writing worship songs for the church, is there an unwritten rule of what time signatures to use? What logic should I follow as a songwriter when it comes to how "creative" I can be with my music. Just curious. Thanks for your input.

[russhutto]

I would say no to your question.

You can write in whatever time signature you choose.

I think if you're going for participation there are some basics to consider. Easy, catchy, singable. Most of the time that would also include a simple time signature (to follow).

However, if it's a great song with great lyrics and a great melody time signature is pretty irrelevant. I think the issue is more singability not necessarily the time signature itself.

Some of the catchiest tunes I can think of are in 5/4. Not necessarily worship songs, but Take Five, Imperial Death March (Star Wars - Darth Vader's Theme), Mars (from The Planets), Original Mission Impossible Theme. All of these are "singable" even though they don't have lyrics. They're catchy, and most people can hum right along with them easily.

5 is not a time signature you'd think would be followable...but it is.

3/4 I think would be fairly safe. Many hymns are written in 3/4.

[WorshipVanguard]

Thanks, Russ. I know of one worship song where the verses are in 4/4 and the chorus is in 6/8 or vice verse. Unfortunately, I forgot the song. I just remember sitting in service one day, and recognized that's what was happening. Going between 4/4 and 6/8 may not be such a big deal because the beat is still consistent, only the "in between" rhythms differ. Now, as a simple experiment on my part, I have another melody that within one phrase the time signature changes from 4/4 to 6/8. Depending on how it is scored, the song can remain in 4/4 but the "6/8" part would simply be scored as triplets in a 4/4 signature. I guess I'm still wondering how far to take my creativity in praise/worship songwriting. Hope that made sense. Thanks again.

[webebo]

I agree with Russ. The time signature is not as relevant as the lyrics and flow. Directing choir arrangments, you come across some different time signatures. But always noticed that if the people knew the song, they sang right along with us. Even when the time signatures changed in the middle of the song.

Hope this helps.

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

Changing the beats in a measure in the middle of a phrase, such as one measure that needs more or fewer beats, can cause the band or instrumentalists, and especially the director (if there is one) to have to pay attention, but it has no effect on singability. The people singing will not know there was anything irregular, unless someone playing messes up.

As a choir director, a meter change never seemed to affect anyone but me.
Tom

[psalmsandhymns]

It's all about the melody. Two of my favorite songs of the past few years are set in meters that constantly change: Stuart Townend and Keith Getty's How Deep the Father's Love for Us and Stuart Townend and Aaron Keyes' Psalm 62 (My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone). The first's meter could be best written as 10/4 and the second has a mostly 5/4 verse with a 3/4 chorus. Both are eminently singable.

[waschmunk]

I find 3/4 to be very singable, so don't be afraid to use it. Using different time signatures brings interest to songs.
Brian Doerksen did an arrangement of It Is Well in 12/8 and it flowed very well. Just don't do a different signature just to do it.

[WorshipVanguard]

Well, to give you an idea, here is the first song I ever wrote. Keep in mind, I wrote this song as an experiment in 3/4. For YEARS, I've wanted to add to the song, but I could not come up with anything. Maybe if I post here, I can get some ideas. Please feel free to record your ideas, post on Welcome - SoundCloud (http://soundcloud.com), and post it here. If I can think of anything, I'll post as well. Thanks for everyone's input! This is great!!

The first song I EVER wrote (back in high school)
Worship Vanguard - First Song - SoundCloud (http://soundcloud.com/mesiewert/first-song-4)

Score
(I want to attach the score, but the pdf file is 44KB. Is there a way I can attach larger files?)

[bbrunskill]

Personally, as a musician, I hardly notice time signatures, if I know the melody and word the rest all makes sense. I think as long the the T/S is too wacky the congregation won't notice.

[bluenotemkvi]

OK. This may be silly but I thought I might get everyone's input on this. I know most (if not all) praise/worship music is either in 4/4 or 6/8

It's not just confined to worship music. Most, but not all, Western music (Western as in Europe and points west, not as in Garth Brooks) is written in 4/4. It's been a long time since my music history classes but that tradition goes back a LONG way. Look at jazz, country, rock, classical orchestral pieces, dig through your hymnal. In any setting where you're expected to read sheet music you'll frequently see the time signature written as "C" which stands for "Common Time," otherwise known as 4/4.

You can certainly write a memorable tune in 3/4 - The Star Spangled Banner is only one example.

[TallPaul]

Hey, I love this topic! This one hits home for me.

I agree with the comment about making the song singable. I would say make it prayable first, and singable second.

For me, changing the time signature within the piece is like changing the key. It can be used for dramatic emphasis (or in many other creative ways). It is just another "brush" or "brushstroke" that we artists have available to us.

Not to toot my own horn, but I've co-written a piece (My Joy (http://www.holymeasures.com/songs/preview.php?my=1644)) where it changes time sigs several times. The refrain is in 4/4 to be catchy, and the verses are in a flowing, reflective 6/8.

But just like changing the key, I've found that the whole band must be sharp and on their toes, for the entire song. One missed beat, and the rest of the band can quickly get confused. This is perhaps saved for well practiced, tight bands.

Peace,
Paul