Why do musicians often count to four before starting to play? What’s significant about the number four?

Question

Why do musicians often count to four before starting to play? What’s significant about the number four?

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Answer 1

Most western music is in 4/4 tempo. This means that while they are playing all the musicians count to 4 over and over again at the same tempo, a 1/4 note at each count. What you hear is them just counting out loud to get everyone started the same. They will then continue the count silently for the rest of the song.

Although it is not very common you might sometimes hear counts of 2/4 or 3/4 as well. Or any other odd exotic tempo the song might be written in.