Time Signatures
Understand musical meter, the relationship between beats, and how rhythms are felt.
What is a Time Signature?
4
4
Top Number
How many beats are in each measure.
Bottom Number
What kind of note gets one beat. (4 = Quarter Note, 8 = Eighth Note)
Interactive Visualizer
Four quarter notes per measure. The most common time signature in pop, rock, and EDM.
1
2
3
4
Simple vs Compound Time
Simple Time (4/4, 3/4, 2/4)
In simple time, the main beats are divided into two. For example, in 4/4 time, a quarter note (the main beat) can be split into two eighth notes. It has a very solid, straight, square feeling.
Feel: "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &"
Compound Time (6/8, 9/8, 12/8)
In compound time, the main beats are divided into three. Even though 6/8 has six eighth notes, it is felt as two big beats (dotted quarter notes), each split into three. It provides a rolling, lilting, triplet feel.
Feel: "1 2 3 4 5 6"