How do you find out what time signature a song is in?

[MusicalTalent]

I am a noob transcriber/arranger, and I was wondering how you would tell if a piece is in 4/4, or 3/4, etc. If it is extremely obvious then maybe I'm thinking too hard XD. Any help would be appreciated!

[Maelstrom]

Just count it out. What feels the most natural? What part sounds like a new measure?

[JDMEK5]

See if you can identify an accent which usually will indicate beat one.

Also: (in case you haven't noticed it yet) there's a thread for this kind of thing if you have a specific example that you're having trouble figuring out.

[MusicalTalent]

See if you can identify an accent which usually will indicate beat one.

Also: (in case you haven't noticed it yet) there's a thread for this kind of thing if you have a specific example that you're having trouble figuring out.

Thanks! I wasn't talking about any specific song, I just want to have this information for when I need it XD!

@Maelstrom (I don't know how to quote multiple things because I am a scrub XD) Okay! Thanks for the advice!

[FierceDeity]

My advice is to just play (or keep playing) music of different time signatures, and listen to music for which you know the time signature(s) already. Even with a passive investment in learning about time signatures while doing this, you'll start to subconsciously pick up the conventions common to each time signature. Understanding how syncopations work within those time signatures is especially helpful.

[MusicalTalent]

My advice is to just play (or keep playing) music of different time signatures, and listen to music for which you know the time signature(s) already. Even with a passive investment in learning about time signatures while doing this, you'll start to subconsciously pick up the conventions common to each time signature. Understanding how syncopations work within those time signatures is especially helpful.

OK, Will do! Thanks!