Method Book Volume One - Time Signature
Understanding Time Signatures
When you look at a piece of sheet music, you will usually see two numbers near the beginning of the music, one above the other.
These numbers are called the time signature.
The time signature tells us how the beats in the music are organized. It helps us understand how to count the music and where the strong beats usually fall.
The beat gives music a steady pulse. The time signature tells us how those beats are grouped together.
Where Do You Find the Time Signature?
The time signature appears near the beginning of a piece of music. You will usually find it just after the clef and key signature.
A time signature looks like two numbers stacked on top of each other. For example:
4
This is called 4/4 time, or "four-four time."
What Do the Two Numbers Mean?
The two numbers give us different pieces of information.
The top number tells you how many beats are grouped into each measure.
The bottom number tells you which type of note is being used to represent the beat.
For example, in 4/4 time, the top 4 tells us that there are four beats in each measure, and the bottom 4 tells us that the quarter note represents one beat.
| 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 |
What Does the Bottom Number Mean?
The bottom number can be a little confusing at first, so don't worry if it takes some time to get used to it.
Here are the bottom numbers you are most likely to encounter as a beginner:
| Bottom Number | Note Value |
|---|---|
| 2 | Half note |
| 4 | Quarter note |
| 8 | Eighth note |
So when you see a 4 on the bottom, think quarter note. When you see an 8, think eighth note.
4/4 Time
4/4 is one of the most common time signatures in music. You will see it very often.
In 4/4 time, there are four quarter-note beats in each measure.
| 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 |
Beat 1 usually feels strongest. This helps us hear where each new measure begins.
| ONE two three four |
Count "1, 2, 3, 4" over and over while tapping your hand on each number. Give the number 1 just a little more emphasis. You are feeling 4/4 time!
3/4 Time
In 3/4 time, there are three quarter-note beats in each measure.
| 1 2 3 | 1 2 3 |
Again, beat 1 usually feels strongest:
| ONE two three | ONE two three |
3/4 time is often associated with the flowing feeling of a waltz. If you hear music that seems to move in groups of three, you may be hearing 3/4 time.
2/4 Time
In 2/4 time, there are two quarter-note beats in each measure.
| 1 2 | 1 2 | 1 2 |
Music in 2/4 often has a clear "ONE-two, ONE-two" feeling. You may hear this kind of strong two-beat pattern in marches, dances, and other lively music.
6/8 Time
6/8 time works a little differently.
The 6 tells us that each measure contains six eighth notes:
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
But instead of feeling like six completely separate beats, 6/8 is usually felt as two larger beats, with each beat divided into three smaller parts.
| ONE two three FOUR five six |
You can also think of it as:
1 - 2 - 3 | 1 - 2 - 3
This gives 6/8 a rolling or flowing feeling that sounds different from 2/4, 3/4, or 4/4.
Don't worry if 6/8 feels more difficult to understand than 4/4 or 3/4. Start with the simpler time signatures. As you listen to and play more music, the feeling of 6/8 will become much more natural.
Common Time Signatures
Here is a quick comparison of some time signatures you may encounter:
| Time Signature | Basic Organization | Common Feeling | Try Counting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/4 | 2 quarter-note beats | Two | ONE – two |
| 3/4 | 3 quarter-note beats | Three | ONE – two – three |
| 4/4 | 4 quarter-note beats | Four | ONE – two – three – four |
| 6/8 | 6 eighth notes, usually grouped in two | Two groups of three | ONE-two-three FOUR-five-six |
Why Do We Need Time Signatures?
Imagine hearing a steady series of beats:
tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap
Without any other information, you don't necessarily know how those beats should be grouped.
They could be grouped in twos:
| 1 2 | 1 2 | 1 2 |
Or threes:
| 1 2 3 | 1 2 3 |
Or fours:
| 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 |
The time signature helps tell the musician how those beats are organized. This organization is an important part of the character and feeling of the music.
What If the Time Signature Changes?
Most beginner music uses the same time signature throughout the entire piece. However, a time signature can change in the middle of a song.
When this happens, a new time signature will appear in the music. From that point forward, you should count according to the new time signature.
How to Practice a New Time Signature
When you see an unfamiliar time signature, don't immediately start playing. First, try to feel the beat.
Look at the time signature, count the beats out loud, and tap or clap along. Once the rhythm feels comfortable, try playing the notes on your ocarina.
Counting out loud may feel strange at first, but it is one of the easiest ways to improve your rhythm. If a passage is difficult, slow down and count the beats before trying to play it faster.
A Quick Review
- A time signature tells us how the beats in music are organized.
- The top number helps tell us how many beats or subdivisions are grouped into a measure.
- The bottom number tells us which note value is being counted.
- 4/4 has four quarter-note beats in each measure.
- 3/4 has three quarter-note beats in each measure.
- 2/4 has two quarter-note beats in each measure.
- 6/8 contains six eighth notes and is usually felt as two groups of three.
- Beat 1 is usually an important strong beat and helps you feel the beginning of each measure.
You do not need to understand every possible time signature when you are beginning. Start by becoming comfortable with common time signatures such as 4/4 and 3/4.
As you play more music, you will begin to recognize different time signatures not only by looking at the sheet music, but also by feeling the way the beats are grouped.