2.2 Time Signatures

Time signatures tell you how many and what kind of notes per measure there are. The number on top is the number of beats per measure, and the bottom number is what kind of note equals one beat. Let me explain further.

Take for example the most popular time signature, 4/4.

This means there are 4 quarter notes (or the equivalent) per measure.

How is this so?
Looking at 4/4, you saw the 4 on top. You already knew that meant there were 4 somethings per measure. Then looking at the bottom number probably confused you. The bottom number can be 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc. Look at this chart.

Bottom Number	Value
1	Whole note
2	Half note
4	Quarter note
8	Eighth note
16	Sixteenth note

 

For example:
3/4 is 3 quarter notes (or the equivalent) per measure.
5/2 is 5 half notes per measure.
6/8 is 6 eighth notes per measure.

There are also 2 other common things you might see where the time signature should be.

Common Time (same as 4/4)

Cut Time: Same as 2/2, or 4/4 cut in half.  Example: a half note = 1 quarter note, a whole note = 1 half note.