Time Signatures
Time signatures tell us how many beats are in each bar/measure of music. A bar or measure is used to separate notes according to the top number in the time signature. They also tell us what type of beats they are. Time Signatures appear at the beginning of music and are written on the staff (both treble and bass). They look like fractions, except there is no line between the numbers (vinculum).
What they look like...
Time signatures come in many varieties with different top and bottom numbers. At our level, we will learn about time signatures with 4 as their bottom number. Observe the second row of time signatures to the left.
The first consists of a 2 on top of a 4. We read this is 'two four'. Similarly, the second time signature is read 'three four' and the third, 'four four'. These are the three time signatures that we will learn about at this level.
The first consists of a 2 on top of a 4. We read this is 'two four'. Similarly, the second time signature is read 'three four' and the third, 'four four'. These are the three time signatures that we will learn about at this level.
2/4 Time
The image to the left shows the two four time signature placed on the treble staff. Notice how the top number occupies two spaces and the bottom number also occupies two spaces.
In 2/4 time, there are 2 beats in each bar/measure (as indicated by the top number, 2). The type of beats are crotchet or quarter note beats (as indicated by the bottom number). 2/4 time falls into the category of simple duple time, meaning that each quarter note beat can be broken up into 2 eighth note beats.
In 2/4 time, there are 2 beats in each bar/measure (as indicated by the top number, 2). The type of beats are crotchet or quarter note beats (as indicated by the bottom number). 2/4 time falls into the category of simple duple time, meaning that each quarter note beat can be broken up into 2 eighth note beats.
3/4 Time
Here we have a 3/4 time signature also mounted on the treble staff. In 3/4 time, there are 3 beats in each bar/measure. These beats are quarter note beats. 3/4 time falls into the category of simple triple time, since, again each quarter may be split into two eighth notes.
4/4 Time
Finally, we have 4/4 time. In 4/4 time, each bar/ measure contains 4 beats. These four beats are quarter note beats. 4/4 time can be categorised under simple quadruple time.
Let's Review...
Time signatures consist of 2 numbers. The top number indicates to number of beats per bar/measure. The bottom number indicates the type of beats they are.
Test Yourself!
Download the test below to see if you remember what you've learnt:
test_4-_time._sig..pdf | |
File Size: | 118 kb |
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