The Learning Area - Section 6
How To Read & Write Music
Understand Time Signatures
Music usually has two numbers at the beginning, one on top of the other. This is called a time signature. The time signature indicates how many beats there are in a measure (the space between bar lines), as well as what the general pace (rhythm) of a song will be.
Bar lines are vertical lines that intersect the entire stave at regular intervals. The end of a piece of music is indicated by a double bar line.
The top number of a time signature indicates how many beats are in a measure. The bottom number indicates the type of note that makes up each beat.
The most common time signature in popular music is 4/4 (four beats in each measure, and each beat is made up of a quarter note).
Skip To Section:
Section 1 - Introduction
Section 2 - Names of Notes & Clefs
Section 3 - Find Where the Notes Fall on Staves
Section 4 - Find Where the Notes Fall on Keyboard
Section 5 - Understand Note Length
Section 6 - Understand Time Signatures
Section 7 - Understand Key Signatures