3/4 Time AKA Waltz Time
Source: Kids Music Theory
Waltz Timing AKA 3/4 Time:
Up until now we have been playing everything in 4/4 time or Common Time, as it is known. Now, with our next lesson we will be playing a selection with 3/4 timing, also know as Waltz Timing.
The only difference with 3/4 time is there are 3 beats per measure rather than 4 beats per measure. Remember the top number is the beats per measure and the bottom number is the note that receives that beat. So with 3/4 timing the number of beats is reduced by one to 3 beats per measure and the quarter note or bottom number remains at 4, which means that quarter notes get the beat.
The easy way to remember waltz timing is by saying Um Pa Pa, Um Pa Pa, much like a tuba would play. There are a lot of songs played in 3/4 timing and when you get used to playing in this timing it really comes quite easily.
Counting Out The Beats:
Actually counting out the beats you would say it like this:
1 2 3
1 2 3
And that would carry through for each measure of the song, unless told otherwise.
Now let’s take a look a how rhythm chords are handled with 3/4 timing. Look at the diagram below:
Take Note of the Following Points:
The timing for each measure is indicated on the bottom with the 1 2 3 etc.
The Chords are played:
Pick – Strum – Strum
Pick – Strum – Strum
This relates directly to the 1 2 3 timing.
Chords are usually played by picking the Root of the chord first.
Ultimate Kids Guitar Tip: A Root of a chord is the note that the chords takes it’s name from. For example the Root of C Major Chord would be C. The Root of the Chord F Major would be F and the Root of the G7 Chord would be a G.
So the Root of the chord would be the Bass Note that we play on the First Beat of the Measure. If we are playing a C chord we would play the C on the first beat. This is followed by (2) strums of the chord, making up the last (2) beats of the measure, bringing us to 3 beats. This is just repeated throughout the song.
Tags: how to play guitar, how to play in waltz time, time signature, waltz timing
