Section 8: Time Signatures

(Figure L)

Looking at Figure L, there are four instances of time signatures. Can you break them down? The top left is a standard 3/4 time, indicating that there are 3 beats per measure and the quarter note receives one beat. The bottom left is a six-eighth time, (6/8 time). There are six beats per measure and an eighth note receives one beat.

The time signatures to the right look very different but they mean the very same thing. They are a 4/4 time, (four quarter notes per measure). The "C" used in the bottom right is called the "Common Time" signature.

This concludes the introduction to music theory. Please review these previous eight sections until you are comfortable with the notations, signatures, and pre-concepts before continuing. They are the backbone to reading and writing music.