bar / measure

[Nordlys]

Hi.

I have often wondered why in english there are two words for this. Is there some difference in meaning between the words "bar" and "measure", if only a slight nuance, or does it mean exactly the same?

[Brian Healey]

No, bar and measure mean exactly the same thing.

Peace,
Bri

[xvimbi]

I often go to a bar and have a good measure of Single Malt

(Sorry, I've had too much coffee this morning)

[Nordlys]

I often go to a bar and have a good measure of Single Malt

(Sorry, I've had too much coffee this morning)

Hehe.


But seriously:
As I understand the words etymologically, "bar" could refer to the notation, and have something to do with the line separating the bars. "Measure" on the other hand refers to the music as we hear it. It is a measurement of the time.

Does it make sense?

[jlh]

Also interesting is that a lot of the time in jazz and pop music they are referred to as bars, but in classical music as measures.

I guess it's almost like the difference between a "pickup note" and an "anacrusis", although "pickup note" is more slang and "bar" is not.

[galonia]

I always thought "measure" is an American thing, because here in Australia we are all taught "bar" and that this is proper English.  At least, that's what I was taught.

But then again, Americans have good ways of doing things, too, such as calling crotchets "quarter notes", minims "half notes", etc, which makes much more sense when you're trying to explain relative values of notes.

[richard w]

Hi.

I have often wondered why in english there are two words for this. Is there some difference in meaning between the words "bar" and "measure", if only a slight nuance, or does it mean exactly the same?

I don't think there is a distinction that is worth worrying about. But I would say that in UK English 'bar' is probably more widely understood than measure. That is, when speaking with non musicians, using the term 'measure' may not be as clear as the term 'bar'. As a musician, I quite like the term 'measure', but I probably default to 'bar' more often than not.

Use either as you please.