4/4 vs 3/4 time signatures?

Question

I'm new to music theory so I'm sorry if my question is trivial. Is it correct to say that, in practice, the only difference between 4/4 vs. 3/4 time signatures is where the accents are located? To me, 4/4 and 3/4 seem very similar, apart from the location of the accents.

Answer 1

While the first note of the first measure may not necessarily be literally accented with a "<" written above the note, you are right. The only difference between the two is that in 4/4, there are four quarter notes in a measure, while in 3/4, there are three quarter notes in a measure. When a conductor conducts the piece, he/she will most likely place an emphasis on the first beat, which in this case, the "accent" that you are probably referring to.