(TMS) Time Signature and Meter Lesson

Time Signature and Meter Lesson

Time signatures define the amount and type of notes that each measure contains. The first measure is in 4/4 time and the second measure is in 3/4 time.

The first measure (4/4) contains four quarter notes. The top number in the time signature represents how many beats per measure and the bottom number represents what note gets the beat. So in a 4/4 time signature, the quarter note (the 4 shown at the bottom of the time signature) gets the beat and each measure will contain 4 quarter notes or the equivalent (the 4 shown at the top of the time signature).

The second measure (3/4) contains three quarter notes. In a 3/4 time signature, the quarter note (the 3 shown at the bottom of the time signature) gets the beat and each measure will contain 3 quarter notes or the equivalent (the 3 shown at the top of the time signature).

Next, we will discuss non-quarter-note time signatures. The first measure is in 6/8 time and the second measure is in 3/2 time.

6/8 time contains six eighth notes or the equivalent. In a 6/8 time signature, the eighth note (the 8 shown at the bottom of the time signature) gets the beat and each measure will contain 6 eighth notes or the equivalent (the 6 shown at the top of the time signature).

3/2 time contains three half notes or the equivalent. In a 3/2 time signature, the half note (the 2 shown at the bottom of the time signature) gets the beat and each measure will contain 3 half notes or the equivalent (the 3 shown at the top of the time signature).

The image above displays all of the time signatures that we discussed so far. There are many other time signatures used in music. Here are a few more:

All time signatures work in the same manner as the four examples that we discussed. Each defines the amount and type of notes that each measure contains. The top number always represents how many beats per measure and the bottom number always represents what note gets the beat.

Time signatures are often called meters and are grouped by the following descriptors: (Simple Meter or Compound Meter) and (Duple, Triple or Quadruple Meters). Simple Meter divides the beat into two equal parts while Compound Meter divides the beat into three equal parts.

Here is a further explanation:

Each time signature can be classified into a certain meter. The terms duple, triple, and quadruple refer to the number of beats in a measure. The term simple means that each of these beats can be broken into two notes. For example, 2/4 time is classified as simple duple.

The term 'Duple'' refers to the two beats per measure.

"Simple'' states that each of these beats can be divided into two notes.

2/2 and 2/8 are also simple duple. Each has 2 beats per measure and each beat of the measure can be divided into two notes.

3/4 time is classified as simple triple.

"Triple'' refers to the three beats per measure.

Again, ''Simple'' states that each of these beats can be divided into two notes.

3/2 and 3/8 are also simple triple.

4/4 time is classified as simple quadruple due to its four beats which can be divided into two notes.

4/2 and 4/8 are also simple quadruple.

Notice that a time signature in simple meter will always have a 2, 3, or 4 for the top number.

While beats in simple meter are divided into two notes, beats in compound meter are divided into three. To demonstrate this, we will examine 6/8 time. The six eighth notes can either be grouped into two beats (compound duple) or three beats (simple triple).

Since the simple triple pattern already belongs to 3/4 time, 6/8 is compound duple.

Notice that each beat in 6/8 is a dotted quarter note. In fact, all compound meters will have some dotted note as its beat.

Any time signature with a 6 on top is compound duple. 6/8 and 6/4 are the most commonly used.

9/8 time is classified as compound triple.

There are three beats (three dotted quarter notes), thus making the meter triple.

 

Since each beat is made up of three notes, the meter is compound.

Any time signature with a 9 on top is compound triple. Although 9/8 is the most common; 9/2, 9/4, and 9/16 can also be used.

Finally, 12/8 time is classified as compound quadruple.

There are four beats, thus making the meter quadruple.

Since each beat is made up of three notes, the meter is compound.

Any time signature with a 12 on top is compound quadruple. 12/8 and 12/16 are the most commonly used.

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