Music Theory Q/A

[Bloop]

Rocket Barrel from Donkey Kong Country Returns is also (partly) in 5/4:

[Zunawe]

I'm still slightly confused about the necessity of splitting up notes.

Which one is more acceptable? Assuming I did it right. I'm pretty sure I did.

[Mephistopheles]

Top one, you must always show each beat clearly.

[BlackDragonSlayer]

Top one, you must always show each beat clearly.

Mephistopheles, master of deals and music theory.

[MaestroUGC]

Who would've thought?

[Zunawe]

Sigh. It's so much harder to read that. Okay, thanks.

[MaestroUGC]

Oh, that first tied eighth-quarter on beat 2 should be a dotted eigth. The tie is superfluous.

[Zunawe]

But it starts on a sixteenth beat's spot. Wouldn't it not be able to go over an eighth note's spot? Or does it really not matter beyond eighths?

[JDMEK5]

Most times, some exceptions will be made to make the sheet cleaner. Technically, the top one is correct, but as Maestro said, for the most part, 16ths can be joined directly to a dotted eighth. (assuming they're in the same beat)

Because dotted eighths can be joined to a 16th, it's simple to remember that the reverse is also acceptable. (except in exams!)

[Shadoninja]

Is there a proper way to use different durations in grace notes? I've always used eighth notes if there was a single grace note and sixteenth notes if there were 2 or more.

[Zunawe]

What you're doing is correct. Grace note length is no more than looks. It would look odd to have a quarter leading into a note as well as a string of eighths.

[Tobbeh99]

Hi I've found some great sample pieces for various time signatures.

2/2 (Cut time):
Super Mario RPG - Forest Maze
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkailb3xcTI

Final Fantasy IV - Red Wings' Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbQyqX9iu_M

5/4:
Skylanders Giants - Junkyard Isles Main Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1zCnBZdFpI&;
(Could be felt as 10/8 too)

7/4:
Final Fantasy IV - Esper World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79fe0wNariU

9/8
The Legend of Zelda Wind Waker - Main Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPDCHr3H_Hw

[Tobbeh99]

We should but this thread under the Help! > NSM Resources thread. Would be smart I think.

[Maelstrom]

Another great example of 5/4
An Earnest Desire of Grey (Radiant Historia) (On site, arranged by me)

[mikey]

Best example of 5/4 will always be mission impossible