Additive Meter - Simple Time Signatures

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

Famous quotes containing the words simple, time and/or signatures:

    I went to a very militantly Republican grammar school and, under its influence, began to revolt against the Establishment, on the simple rule of thumb, highly satisfying to a ten-year-old, that Irish equals good, English equals bad.
    Bernadette Devlin (b. 1947)

    A thing is mighty big when time and distance cannot shrink it.
    Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960)

    I am not a very sentimental man; and the best sentiment I can think of is, that if you collect the signatures of all persons who are no less distinguished than I, you will have a very undistinguishing mass of names.
    Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)