Time Signatures

Time Signatures tell us how to count out the timing for a bar of music. Let's look at how to read them.

If we know what these numbers are telling us, we can read the time signature.

The top number tells us what we're counting to! That's pretty straightforward. So for a time signature of 4/4, we're counting to 4. In 3/4 time, we're counting to 3. Easy!

The bottom number is the trickier part. That number tells us what we are counting. Specifically, what type of note we are counting.

If the bottom number is 4, that means we're counting quarter notes. Why? Because 4 quarter notes make up a whole.

So, that means if the bottom number is 8, we'll be counting 8th notes. If it's 16, we'll be counting 16th notes.

If we understand all of that, then we can see that a time signature of 4/4 is really telling us that the bar is made up of 4 quarter notes.

A time signature of 3/4 means we are playing a bar made up of 3 quarter notes.

What about 7/8 time? That gives us a bar made up of 7 eighth notes!

Can you work it out for 5/4 time?

What about 15/16?

4/2?

An important note is that this doesn't mean the notes you're playing necessarily need to be the same kind of note as the bottom number.

I'm sure you've already noticed we play more than just quarter notes in 4/4 time.

It is, however, the notes your metronome will be playing. Or, the notes your foot should be tapping if you want to keep time on your own.

If you'd like to know what speed to set your metronome to, CLICK HERE to learn about tempo!