Time and Music

 Time and Music

January 14, 2026

Acts 1:14a (NKJV) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, …

Philippians 2:2

2make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

1There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—

Another mathematical aspect of music is time; tempo and rhythm. This is not as complicated as frequency and pitch, but is just as important. Each musical composition is written with a specific tempo and time signature in mind. To play it as the composer intended, you need to follow the clock, and play precisely 60 beats per minute, 72 bpm, 100 bpm, etc. There is also a time signature. The most common is 4/4 which is four quarter notes per measure. Now when more than one person is playing, one has to be in charge of the tempo. In an orchestra that is the conductor and in a small band it is the drummer and/or the bass player. (Of course, I think the bass player is most important, laying down both the tempo and chords progression for he band. 🤠🎸). But without this coordination, each one doing what they think is right leads to chaos. To be music, pleasing to the ear, they must be together, in one accord with one purpose. This is another way that music reflects the heart of God as He desires that all of His people dwell in unity and have the same mind and the same purpose.

Once the tempo has been established, there can be a rhythm added to the basic beat. For many years, I played with worship bands that had many black players. They used to kid me that I was the old white guy with no rhythm. They tried very hard to teach me those funky rhythms, and I tried my best. But in the end, I was indeed that old white guy with no rhythm! 🤠🎸. Anyway, I did learn to keep a basic beat and could play some syncopation on occasion. The rhythm gives a specific character to a piece on top of the basic 1,2,3,4 of the tempo. What do you think of when you hear this rhythm ?

Daaaaaa dum

Daaaaaa dum

Daaa dum Daaa dum

Da dum Da dum Da dum…

If you hummed that correctly, you should be thinking “We need a bigger boat! Jaws is coming for us!”

Bottom line is that mathematics, consistent counting, making rhythms together and being of one mind and playing together is all part of music. And music reflects the heart of God who brings order and unity to His people. So be of one accord, play in sync with one another and worship the Father by being of one mind and one purpose. That true in both music and in the Christian life.