What's so catchy about 3/4 time?!

Subject: What's so catchy about 3/4 time?!
From: dr soul
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 04:16 AM

Someone asked about the "Seven old ladies" song, which is the same melody as "Johnny's so long at the fair". Suddenly, the waltz meter in my mind went off: "one-two-three, one-two-three, . . . "

It seems as if songs in 3/4 time - Home on the range, Take me out to the ball game, Goodnight Irene, Lara's theme, whatever - get stuck in my head more easily than other songs. Is it just me? Or has anyone seen any studies (or have any personal beliefs) about why waltzes are so darn catchy?! (Roll on, Columbia roll on . . .)

Subject: RE: What's so catchy about 3/4 time?!
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 04:54 AM

Ummm...

Seems to me that the reason for 3/4 being popular is that it dates back to the days when dancing was a body contact sport...;)

Take me back to the good old days - in waltz-time - but Slllooooooowly

Sam (remembering waltzes of yonks back)

Subject: RE: What's so catchy about 3/4 time?!
From: TNDARLN
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 08:00 AM

hello all- I'm new here, but this thread caught my eye, because I've noticed this same thing. True story from my just finished school year: I had just taught "TN Waltz" to my 5th graders as part of our study of TN songs. To help the kids understand/ analyze meter, I teach them the basic waltz step. The kids picked up on it quickly, and loved it. To the point that when the principal dropped by one day to observe, this boy-child wanted to show her how to do it. He stood in the middle of the circle of his classmates and danced alone while they sang the song. He was completely at ease, and didn't have a musical background at all!! And this in a rural community where sports, hunting, and fishing are still part of every boy's growing up....it was a moment! I think maybe it's the swaying- like being rocked as a baby.....

Subject: RE: What's so catchy about 3/4 time?!
From: MichaelM
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 09:55 AM

I'll sing and play things in 3/4 time but I still consider it perverse for a two footed creature to dance to something with an odd number of beats. Any good dance tunes out there in 5/4 or 7/8 ?

Michael

Subject: RE: What's so catchy about 3/4 time?!
From: clansfolk
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 01:16 PM

I pefer 6/8 - eg. Whitby Shindig and it's a better to dance to (If I danced!!)