Different Time Signatures

Last week we discussed the meaning of 4/4 and defined the fancy word, Time Signature.
If you missed it? Read Here before moving on
Very simply, in written music, 4/4 (four, four) is a time signature which means a symbol that tells us how many beats are in a measure of music.
This post explains other time signatures like 2/4, 3/4, 6/8, etc...

Let's get started! It's time to break it down and understand that silly fraction!!
We'll use 4/4 as an example because we already know what that means.
We know that in 4/4 we count 4 beats for each measure - 1,2,3,4

THE TOP NUMBER TELLS US HOW MANY BEATS WE HAVE IN A MEASURE
ex: 4/4, the top number is 4 - we have 4 beats in a measure & we count each measure as 1,2,3,4 Easy!
So, take a guess, how many beats do we have in
3/4 - 3 beats - 1,2,3
2/4 - 2 beats - 1,2
6/8 - 1,2,3,4,5,6
Not even close to as tricky as 2nd grade math

NOW, THE BOTTOM NUMBER TELLS US WHAT TYPE OF NOTE COUNTS AS ONE BEAT.
It's easiest if we look at them as simple fractions & substitute 1 for the top note
We generally work with the most basic notes here- quarter note, eighth note or half-note
(will delve into that more deeply next week)

Read these fractions as though you were reading measurements for cooking.
1/4 = one fourth is the same thing as one quarter of a cup
When you see a FOUR on the bottom, a quarter note equals one beat

1/8 = one eighth is the same thing as one eighth of a cup
When you see an EIGHT on the bottom, an eighth note equals one beat

1/2 = one half is the same thing as one half of a cup
When you see a TWO on the bottom, a half note equals one beat


Now! combine them
In 4/4 = There are four beats in a measure and a quarter note equals 1 beat
In 3/4 = There are 3 beats in a measure and a quarter note equals 1 beat
In 2/4 = There are 2 beats in a measure and a quarter note equals 1 beat
In 6/8 = there are 6 beats in a measure and an eighth note equals 1 beat

Those are our most common Time Signatures
One more thing sometimes we will see a capital C instead of a fraction
This means Common Time. The most common time signature is 4/4
So a Capital C means the same thing as 4/4
AND
Sometimes, that Capital C will be written with a line through it.
This means Cut Time. Regular C means 4/4 - Cut Time cuts the 4/4 in half which means 2/2. The notes are still written in 4/4, but your count 1,2 instead of 1,2,3,4. This makes the music move more quickly.

Occasionally in music (usually classical or jazz) we will see more complex things like
4/2 = There are 4 beats in a measure and a half note gets one beat
12/8 = There are 12 beats in a measure and an eighth note gets one beat
5/4 = There are 5 beats in a measure and a quarter note has one beat
Whatever the fraction, the same rules apply!!

Here is a lovely pic of the time signatures we have been discussing

courtesy of piano.about.com


Next week, we will delve a bit more into the aural part of this concept by discussing beats = quarter, eighth, half and counting them so we can hear the time signatures in the context of written music & specific songs
Fun Stuff!
Have a beautiful day!
meredith