Time Signatures

Even before I started high school, I knew I wanted to be part of the Cougar Marching Force (my high school’s marching band). There was so much about it that I loved; the precision moves, the uniforms, the amazing sound of a field full of instruments, the teamwork and coordinated efforts, and on and on.

Every piece of music in history, regardless of genre/style, has a beat pattern known as a time signature. Whether you are listening to the “Overture” of Mozart’s Le Nozze Di Figaro (Marriage of Figaro) or “Twist and Shout” from the Beatles; each has a defined time signature. In musical terminology, the most common time signature is 4/4 time; also called “common time.” Common time makes great marching music because it’s symmetrical and is easier to move to evenly; and is predicable. In fact, almost all modern songs use this 4/4 common time signature, so we’re very accustomed to this pattern.

One particular marching season, we played a newly composed piece of music based on the book, The Divine Comedy. It was a powerful piece of music that outlined the journey the character took throughout death (from hell to heaven). What I want to draw your attention to was that the “time signatures” throughout this piece of music changed (not the same time signature throughout the piece). Some of it was 4/4 common time and some was 3/4 time or 5/8 time. Now, not to get too heavy into music theory, just understand that those time signatures aren’t very friendly to march to. They’re not predicable to the ear, so it’s very easy to get off step and mess up, because we are not accustomed to the off-beats. Music composers use time changes to draw an effect; much like artists using different paint brushes on a canvas. 

The key to marching correctly during these time changes is simple; trust the conductor. He/she is the one who “leads” and “guides” the band. Since the conductor is always on an elevated platform, all you need to do is look up and trust. The conductor knows the music backwards and forwards and can see the whole field as opposed to my limited view on the field.  

We don’t like time signature changes in our lives. We don’t like unpredictability and unfamiliar seasons; they’re not friendly to march to. We must remember, though that they will happen. Will you choose to manage it by yourself with your limited view? You, figuratively, only know your part of the music and not that of the entire band. How will you know if your steps will be correct?

I encourage you to trust in the God who can see the whole field and knows the music of your life backwards and forwards. Look up and follow; He’s leading you…no matter what time signature you are currently in.