The time signature of a piece of music indicates how many beats are in each measure and what type of note gets one beat. The top number tells how many beats are in a measure, while the bottom number tells what kind of note gets one beat.
What Does 32 Mean in Music?
A time signature of 32 means:
- There are 3 beats in each measure
- A half note (minim) gets one beat
So in 32 time, each measure contains 3 half note beats. This creates a lilting or waltz-like feel to the music.
Counting 32 Time
To count 32 time, we count “1 2 3” for each measure, with the half note getting one beat:
“1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3…”
On beat 1, we stress the first beat slightly. This creates the characteristic “oom-pah-pah” sound of 32 time.
Beaming in 32 Time
Beaming is used in music notation to show the metric structure of the music. In 32 time, notes are typically beamed in groups of 3:
Quarter notes:
Eighth notes:
This visually reinforces the feel of 3 beats per measure.
Strong and Weak Beats
In 32 time, beat 1 is the strongest beat in the measure. Beats 2 and 3 are weaker. Composers often stress important words, phrases or melodies on the strong first beat.
This creates a recurring pattern of one strong beat followed by two weaker beats, giving 32 music its distinctive rhythm.
Variations in 32 Time
Some variations in 32 time include:
- Dotted 32 time: The half note beat is dotted, becoming a dotted half note. This elongates the first beat slightly compared to the other two beats.
- 32 cut time: This is indicated by a 32 with a slash through it. In cut time, the beat is a quarter note instead of a half note.
But in all cases, the upper 3 indicates 3 beats per measure.
Instruments in 32 Music
Certain instruments are strongly associated with 32 time music:
- Piano: Piano can play chords on the strong first beat. The right hand often plays a melodic waltz rhythm.
- Violin: Violin nicely brings out the lilting melody against the oom-pah-pah accompaniment.
- Cello: Cello and bass provide the oom-pah-pah backing.
- Guitar: Guitar strums the chords on the first beat.
Other instruments like woodwinds, brass and percussion are also commonly used in 32 time compositions.
Famous Examples of 32 Time
Many famous classical and popular music compositions are written in 32 time. Here are a few well-known examples:
Classical Pieces in 32 Time
- Waltzes by Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Brahms
- Shostakovich – Waltz No. 2 from Suite for Variety Orchestra
- Tchaikovsky – Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker
- Beethoven – Piano Sonata No. 19
- Chopin – Waltz in A minor
- Mahler – Symphony No. 5, third movement
Popular Songs in 32 Time
- The Beatles – “When I’m Sixty-Four”
- Elvis – “Can’t Help Falling In Love”
- Aretha Franklin – “Natural Woman”
- Bobby Darin – “Beyond the Sea”
- Billy Joel – “Just the Way You Are”
- Whitney Houston – “I Will Always Love You”
32 time continues to be used in both classical and contemporary music to create a light, flowing, dance-like feel.
Advantages of 32 Time
Some of the advantages of using 32 time include:
- Lilting, swaying feel – The oom-pah-pah rhythm is gentle and flowing.
- Natural rhythmic stress – The strong first beat and weaker beats 2 & 3 creates a natural rhythmic stress and release.
- Danceability – The 3 beats fit nicely with dance steps and movements.
- Variety – Offers an alternative to more march-like 44 and 22 time signatures.
Musicians and composers choose 32 time when they want to evoke a more relaxed, smooth and dance-inspired mood in the music.
Disadvantages of 32 Time
Some potential disadvantages of using 32 time include:
- Repetitive and predictable – The consistent oom-pah-pah pattern can become repetitive and predictable if used too much.
- Less rhythmic flexibility – There is less complexity compared to time signatures like 44 which offer more rhythmic flexibility.
- Inappropriate for some moods/emotions – The gentle, lilting feel may not suit more intense, dramatic music.
To counteract these disadvantages, composers often switch between time signatures within a piece, insert pauses/rests, or use dotted/syncopated rhythms to create interest.
Tips for Composing in 32 Time
Here are some useful tips for composing music in 32 time:
- Use the strong first beat to stress important melodic notes, lyrics or harmonies.
- Compose melodies that suit the rise-and-fall waltz rhythm.
- Write basslines with a clear oom-pah-pah pattern.
- Beam notes in groups of 3 to reinforce the feeling of 3 beats.
- Use occasional dotted rhythms and syncopations to add interest.
- Introduce pauses/rests to break up the predictability.
- Shift to 44 or 22 at structural points for contrast.
- Modulate to different keys to maintain forward momentum.
Mastering the lilting 32 time feel takes practice, but can be very rewarding for composers.
Conclusion
The 32 time signature clearly conveys a gentle “oom-pah-pah” rhythm with 3 beats per measure. The strong first beat combined with the weaker second and third beats creates a highly characteristic lilting, waltz-like rhythm that is suitable for both classical and contemporary musical styles. While the repetitive nature requires some care to avoid predictability, overall 32 time provides a useful alternative to more march-like time signatures for composers seeking to evoke a smooth, swaying, dance-inspired mood.
