How to Work out a Time Signature

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Read the top number.

   A time signature contains two numbers and is written as a fraction.
   
   The top number represents the number of beats in one measure of music.Common top numbers include: 2, 3, 4, and
   6.
   
   For example, if the top number is “4”, then each measure consists of four beats.
   
   If the top number is “6”, then the measure consists of six beats.
2. 2

   Step 2: Read the bottom number.

   In a time signature, the bottom number represents the type of note that receives the beat.
   
   Each type of note is assigned a specific number. “1”:
   Whole note (the whole note is worth one beat) “2”:
   Half note (the half note is worth one beat) “4”:
   Quarter note (the quarter note is worth one beat) “8”:
   Eighth note (the eighth note is worth one beat) ”16”:
   Sixteenth note (the sixteenth note is worth one beat), After you’ve viewed the top and bottom numbers independently, you can view the two numbers as a whole.
   
   Below are a view examples: 4/4: each bar has four beats and the quarter note is worth one beat. 3/4: each bar has three beats and the quarter note is worth one beat. 2/2: each bar has two beats and the half note is worth one beat. 6/8: each bar has six beats and the eighth note is worth one beat., Instead of numbers, sometimes the time signature is represented by a symbol.
   
   The letter “C” stands for common time and it is used to replace 4/4 time.
   
   The letter “C” with a slash through it stands for cut time and is used to replace 2/4 time.
3. 3

   Step 3: Understand the time signature as a whole.

4. 4

   Step 4: Identify time signature symbols.

Detailed Guide

About the Author