I frequently get asked about time signatures, those goofy two numbers stacked on each other at the start of a piece of music. In this article, we’ll review some simple time signatures and what they tell us about the music we’re playing.
This article does not serve as a complete lesson on time signatures but is meant to provide a little more understanding of what time signatures are and how they’re read.
First, we should learn what numbers refer to each type of note. For example, if the bottom number of a time signature is 1, it refers to a whole note, 2 is a half note, 4 is a quarter note, 8 is an 8th note, 16 is a 16th note, etc. So when we see the bottom number of the time signature, we know what note gets the beat. So if on the bottom of a time signature, you see a 1, that means a whole note gets the beat; if you see a 2, that means a half note gets the beat; a four means a quarter note gets the beat; an eight means an 8th note receives the beat.
The purpose of a time signature is to tell us that when all the notes in a measure of music are added up, they will equal a certain number of a particular type of note, which is the note that will receive the beat. For example, a time signature of 4/4 means there are four quarter notes per measure of music, and the quarter note gets beat, meaning when you add up all the notes found in a measure of music, it will add up to four quarter notes. If we look at the time signature of 3/4, it means there are three-quarter notes per bar of music, and the quarter note gets beat, meaning if we add up all the notes in the measure, they will equal three-quarter notes.
Understanding simple time signatures is relatively straightforward. The top number tells us how many, and the bottom number tells us what kind of note. In the time signature 2/4, the top number tells us that there are two, and the bottom number tells us the type of notes are quarter notes; in the time signature 3/4, the top number means there are three, and the bottom number says the notes are quarter notes; and in 4/4 the top number indicates there are four, and the bottom number tells us the notes are quarter notes.
So does this mean all music written in 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4 is only in quarter notes? Not at all, but it does mean that if you add up all the notes in the measure in 2/4, you’ll only have two-quarter notes; in 3/4, only three-quarter notes; and in 4/4, only four-quarter notes.
With time and practice, fully understanding simple time signatures will become easier. Have fun practicing.
If you want to learn more about music theory, consider signing up for one free online music theory lesson through my website here. If you’re on Outschool, you can find me here.
Have fun practicing.
