Hey Joe.
You're right, it is confusing, and I'm no expert on the finer points either. As you say, 4/4 and 3/4 are easy to understand. I've always thought that if you multiply both sides by 2, you're basically looking at the same thing. so 4/4 = 8/8, 3/4 = 6/8.
2/4 is different though. You count it One two One two One two, and it makes quite a difference to how you play a piece of music. A lot of Bluegrass is 2/4, and if you wanted to take a well known tune and turn it into a Bluegrass tune, you'd tell the rhythm section (especially the bass player) to think two/four.
I've done countless sessions over the years, and one of the most common questions to the writer/producer, as we all look at our chord charts, is "How are you counting this?", so I think the confusion is universal.
Maybe an expert can throw some light on this for us.
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