Time Signatures

Time Signatures

Today we will learn about some different time signatures.

Time Signature

• Convention used in Western notation to specify how many beats are contained in each measure, and which note value is equivalent to a beat

• Appears at the beginning of the piece, following the key signature

Multiple Choice

Where is the time signature located?

• After the clef

• After the key signature

• Before the clef

• Before the key signature

Simple

• Beats can be broken down into two-part rhythms

• Easiest to count

4/4

• 4 beats in a measure

• Quarter note gets the beat

3/4

• 3 beats per measure

• Quarter note gets the beat

2/4

• 2 beats per measure

• Quarter note gets the beat

2/2

• 2 beats per measure

• Half note gets the beat

Multiple Choice

How many beats?

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 1

Multiple Choice

How many beats

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

How many beats

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

What note gets the beat

• Quarter

• Half

• Whole

• Eighth

Compound

• Beat is broken down into three-part rhythms

• Top number is divisible by 3

6/8

• 6 beats per measure

• Eighth note gets the beat

9/8

• 9 beats per measure

• Eighth note gets the beat

12/8

• 12 beats per measure

• Eighth note gets the beat

Multiple Choice

How many beats?

• 3

• 4

• 5

• 6

Multiple Choice

How many beats?

• 6

• 7

• 10

• 12

Multiple Choice

How many beats?

• 6

• 7

• 8

• 9

Review

• Convention used in Western notation to specify how many beats are contained in each measure, and which note value is equivalent to a beat

• Appears at the beginning of the piece, following the key signature

• There is Simple and Compound

• Top number is the beats, bottom number is which note gets the beat