can anyone explain to me perhaps how to use these, and how certain beat timings are explained?

Im pretty sure the format is something like x:y, where x and y are 2 numbers...however I was never quite sure what they stood for.

Anyone want to enlighten me? Or find me a link on this info?

Beat timing like you say is commonly called "tempo". Let's say you play at a tempo of 120, that means there are 120 beats per minutes. The higher the tempo is, the faster the beats will be.

The format x:y thing is called Time Signature. The basic time signature is 4/4. The first 4 represents the beats and the second 4 represents 1 measure. So in fact, in a 4/4 time signature, you will count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc

However there are many other time signatures which are commonly called "Odd time signatures". Example, the 3/4. This means each mesure only contains 3 beats. So you will count this way: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, etc.

And there are many many other time signatures.

Hope that helps a bit.

yeah thats pretty helpful

so when I see something like 4/8, that means 4 beats a second across 2 measures?

and the tempo as well. Im trying to work on my rhythm, seeing as I want to pick up drums soon and will be mostly self taught, watching alot of other drummers. (you tube vids mostly)

4/8 (which I have pretty much never seen) would mean 4 quavers per bar. In american that's 4 1/8th notes per bar. This is very similar to 2/4 (2 crotchets) but not the same as different time signatures often suggest a different feel to a piece. See the difference between a 3/4 waltz and a 6/8 jig if you know what I mean.

Tempo is separate from time signature. It's often given in modern written music as crotchet = 120 or just as an italian expression such as "Andante" in classical. This was because without metronomes it was very difficult to get an exact tempo, and a tempo range was the best substitute.

Just a note about being a self-taught drummer; it might not be the best idea. There are many rudiments and techniques to practice which I suppose you could look up but having a drum teacher show you would probably be best.

4/8 would = 2/4 which would mean 2 beat/mesure so yes 4 beats across 2 measures.

if 4/8 = 2/4, why wouldn't 4/4 = 2/2?

This post was edited by LouisLeGros on Aug 15 2008 12:05pm

4/4 would sound the same as 2/2, but like Blinn mentioned it would suggest a different feel to the song. Nobody uses 2/2 anyway.

I'm more interested in getting a firm understanding of music theory then how much something is used

seeing as ive never taken a music class in elementary/highschool, would it be foolish to try and take some theory classes in college?

There should be classes for non music majors at the 100 level (both performing and not), I think it is generally suggested that you should be able to read music though. I wanted to sign up for the class this fall, but it was filled and I can't read music.

This post was edited by LouisLeGros on Aug 15 2008 07:13pm