Why does music with 4 beats per measure sound satisfying?

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Why does music with 4 beats per measure sound satisfying?

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4 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

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Anonymous 0 Comments

It is satisfying because your brain is used to it. 4/4 and 8/4 time signatures are very common in Western pop and rock music so you are really familiar with them and they sound natural to you.

However, other styles of music such as jazz use odd signatures that might not sound pleasant if you’re not used to them. Odd or even mixed signatures can be found in traditional music in many countries and it sounds very natural to the people who are used to it.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Humans like things divided in 2s, 3s, or 4s. When music is divided into these beats per measure, it makes it easy to follow along.

4 beats per measure is the most used time signature, so many people are used to hearing it and end up liking it best.

Anonymous 0 Comments

4 beats is nice as you can subdivide then into equal parts very far down, which gives symmetrical rhythms.
Personally i find those rather boring (there are only so many rhythms). I really enjoy music in 7/8 or especially 5/8, they give a unique skew if played skillfully.