Time Signature - 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:  Time Signature

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

    ‘Tis the gift to be simple ‘tis the gift to be free
    ‘Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be
    And when we find ourselves in the place just right
    ‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
    —Unknown. ‘Tis the Gift to Be Simple.

    AH. American Hymns Old and New, Vols. I–II. Vol. I, with music; Vol. II, notes on the hymns and biographies of the authors and composers. Albert Christ-Janer, Charles W. Hughes, and Carleton Sprague Smith, eds. (1980)

    What time of day is it, lad?
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    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)