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Time signatures explained
A time signature tells you how many beats are in each bar and which note gets one beat.
Reading the two numbers
In simple time the top number is how many beats are in the bar. The bottom number says which note value counts as one beat: 2 is a minim (half note), 4 is a crotchet (quarter note), 8 is a quaver (eighth note).
| Time signature | Beats in the bar | One beat is a | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/4 | 2 | crotchet (quarter) | March, “1 2” |
| 3/4 | 3 | crotchet (quarter) | Waltz, “1 2 3” |
| 4/4 | 4 | crotchet (quarter) | Most pop and rock, “1 2 3 4” |
| 2/2 | 2 | minim (half) | Also called cut time |
| 3/8 | 3 | quaver (eighth) | Quick, light waltz |
4/4 is also written as a letter C and called common time. 2/2 is written as a C with a line through it and called cut time.
Compound time
In compound time each beat divides into three, so the beat is a dotted note. In 6/8 there are two beats per bar and each beat is a dotted crotchet, made of three quavers. Counting is “ONE two three, FOUR five six”.
| Time signature | Beats in the bar | One beat is a | Quavers per beat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/8 | 2 | dotted crotchet | 3 |
| 9/8 | 3 | dotted crotchet | 3 |
| 12/8 | 4 | dotted crotchet | 3 |
How to tell them apart
If the top number is 6, 9 or 12, the music is usually in compound time. If it is 2, 3 or 4, it is usually simple time.
Practise it
Mustud’s “add the time signature” exercise gives a short rhythm with only one right answer. See rhythm worksheets.
Make your own worksheets with Mustud
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