Lesson 8: Time Signatures

Lesson 8: Time Signatures

by Tavia Zerman

At the beginning of every piece of music there is a time signature.​

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• ​Here are some common examples.

• ​Notice, there are two numbers, one placed above the other.

• ​To say these out loud, you say the top number and then the bottom number.

• ​The first one is four-four time, the second is three-four time, and the last one is two-four time.

The TOP number tells us the number of beats in each measure.​

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​Two-four time will have 2 beats in a measure.

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​Three-four time will have 3 beats in a measure.

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​Four-four time will have 4 beats in a measure.

The BOTTOM number tells us what kind of note gets one beat.​

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• All of the time signatures we have looked at have a 4 on the bottom.

• ​This means that a quarter note will get one beat.

​To put it all together...

• ​4/4 time will have four quarter notes.

• ​3/4 time will have three quarter notes.

• ​2/4 time will have two quarter notes.

Fill in the Blank

How many beats will there be in each measure here?

Fill in the Blank

How many beats will there be in each measure here?

Fill in the Blank

How many beats will there be in each measure here?

Multiple Choice

What kind of note gets one beat in this time signature?

• Whole note

• Half note

• Quarter note

• Eighth note

Multiple Choice

What kind of note gets one beat in this time signature?

• Whole note

• Half note

• Quarter note

• Eighth note

Multiple Choice

What kind of note gets one beat in this time signature?

• Whole note

• Half note

• Quarter note

• Eighth note