Simple Time Signatures
Simple time signatures consist of two numerals, one stacked above the other:
- the lower numeral indicates the note value which represents one beat (the "beat unit");
- the upper numeral indicates how many such beats there are in a bar.
For instance, 2
4 means two quarter-note (crotchet) beats per bar; 3
8 means three eighth-note (quaver) beats per bar.
The most common simple time signatures are 2
4, 3
4, and 4
4.
Read more about this topic: Additive Meter
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