Popular music is built on the 4/4 time signature. In DJing, that means that you’re typically mixing songs with repeating 4/4 time signatures into each other. You don’t often have to mix a 3/4 song with a 4/4 because not a lot of recorded music is written in 3/4. Let’s dig a little deeper into DJing odd time signatures.
What is a 3/4 time signature anyway?
OK quick theory lesson. The “3” is the number of beats before the cycle starts to repeat. The “4” is the subdivision length of each beat. There's more on the theory of it here, but mostly you just have to focus on the first number to know how wonky the song feels. Popular songs in 3/4 (also written as 6/8) are mostly classics, including Kashmir by Led Zeppelin, Kiss From A Rose by Seal. When The Party’s Over by Billie Eilish is also in 3/4.
Is there any non-4/4 dance music?
Not really. When it comes to dancing and learning to DJ dance music, 4/4 is the norm. Anything else is generally difficult to dance to. The popularity of 4/4 dance music lies in our bipedal (two-footed) body symmetry. It’s also the reason that the standard tempo of dance music (around 120BPM) happens to be a good heart rate to sustain while dancing. We dance with our bodies, and the music we select follows our biology. That’s why dancing, marching and strutting don’t really work with any odd time signature.
How are DJs supposed to mix in odd time signatures?
Group songs by time signature. Play a bunch of 6/8 tunes in a row, top-and-tailing their ends. This might end up sounding quite far from the “normal” extended dance music mix you’re used to, but it’s worth trying out and extending your abilities a little. Or you could get creative by mixing a 3/4 song into a 4/4 one by holding the loop on a single beat while you bring in the next tune.
There are ways to DJ odd time signatures, but consider them pretty outside the norm. Crowds generally don’t like being experimented on, so unless your weird mix is pretty hot and sustains the energy, stick to the tried and trusted 4/4 mixing. Also stick to learning DJing from professionals, who will probably tell you the same.