M1 – Time Signatures Visual

Translatable Verbal Script:

Counting in time signatures.
Here we’ll demonstrate some of the different Time Signatures and how they are counted.
Remember, there are many different Time Signatures.

These are some of the popular time signatures that you’ll find in today’s music.
4/4 which is also known as common time, is also represented with a C.
You also have 2/4, 3/4, and 5/4.
2/2 is also known as cut time and is represented with this symbol with a line through it.
There’s also 3/2 and 4/2.
And then we also have 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 9/8 and 12/8.
And remember, the top number represents beats per measure, and the bottom number represents which note gets a beat.

Let’s take a look at some different time signatures and count off the beats.
Remember the speed or tempo affects how fast or slow the music plays, but the note duration will be the same relative to each other.
We’ll start off with 4/4 which means there are 4 beats per measure and a quarter note gets 1 beat.
So lets start.
1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4
1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4
1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4
1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4
1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4
1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4

So now let’s count 3/4 which means that there are 3 beats per measure and the quarter note still gets a beat.
1,2,3 1,2,3
1,2,3 1,2,3

And now 5/4. Again, there are 5 beats per measure and the quarter note gets 1 beat.
1,2,3,4,5 1,2,3,4,5

And here’s 2/2 which is also known as cut time. There are two beats per measure and the half note gets one beat.
1,2 1,2

And this is 3/2. Which there are 3 beats per measure and again the half note gets one beat.
1,2,3 1,2,3

Here we’ll take a look at 6/8 and 5/8 timing. Both have the eighth note as one beat.
First 6/8
1,2,3,4,5,6
Now 5/8
1,2,3,4,5

Closing:
Thank you for watching.
Be sure to like, subscribe and share this video if you found it helpful.
Visit our website for content, tips and products.
And as always, practice. But make sure it’s fun.