Marches can be in 4/4 time which means there are 4 beats per measure and a quarter note (crotchet) gets one beat which is similar to a reel, 2/4 time which means there are 2 beats per measure and a quarter note (crotchet) gets one beat which is similar to a polka, 3/4 time which means there are 3 beats per measure and a quarter note (crotchet) gets one beat which is similar to a waltz.  Marches are distinguished by their crispness and the accent on the first beat.   For example here is how you would count while playing different marches. The vertical lines separate measures.

 

Play  Roddy McCorley below and repeat the words below the bar as it plays.

4/4· March Time:·

Track 20 Roddy McCorley with Slow Rhythm (Mark and Collin McDonnell)

    

ONE two THREE four | ONE two THREE four | ONE two THREE four|

The manuscript (written form) would look like this:

The manuscript (written form) would look similar to a Reel. They are played slower than Reels at a walking or marching pace. 

2/4  March Time would have the following beats:  

ONE two | ONE two| ONE two| ONE two| 

which is similar to a Polka but played much more slowly.

 

4/4 March Practice Tracks 

Roddy McCorley Sheet Music (Click here to Download PDF Sheet Music file)   

 

                            

 

3 / 4  March Time:

Listen to the King of Laois which is played in 3 / 4 march time by pressing the play button below and repeat the words below the bar.

ONE two three | ONE two three | ONE two three |

The manuscript (written form) would look like this:

King of Laois

3/4 March Practice Tracks 

3/4 March beat played at moderate rhythm

 

King of Laois Sheet Music (Click here to download King of Laois PDF sheet music)