Time Signatures

Question 1

Time signature: 4/4

Answer 1

Simple quadruple 4 crotchet beats per bar

Question 2

Time signature: 6/8

Answer 2

Compound triple 6 quaver beats per bar OR Compound duple 2 dotted crotchet beats per bar

Question 3

Time signature: 6/4

Answer 3

Compound duple or simple triple, quavers

Question 4

Time signature: 3/4

Answer 4

Simple triple 3 crotchet beats per bar

Question 5

Time signature: 2/4

Answer 5

Simple duple 2 crotchet beats per bar

Question 6

Time signature: cut common 2/2

Answer 6

Cut common 2 minim beats per bar

Question 7

Time signature: common

Answer 7

Common 4 crotchet beats per bar

Question 8

4/4 Semibreve value

Answer 8

4 beats, full bar

Question 9

6/8 dotted minim value

Answer 9

6 beats, full bar

Question 10

6/8 minim value

Answer 10

4 beats

Question 11

6/8 dotted crotchet value

Answer 11

3 beats, half bar

Question 12

6/8 crotchet value

Answer 12

2 beats

Question 13

6/8 quaver value

Answer 13

1 beat

Question 14

6/8 semiquaver value

Answer 14

1/2 a beat

Question 15

9/8

Answer 15

Compound Triple 3 dotted crotchets per bar

Question 16

3/2

Answer 16

Simple Triple 3 minims per bar

Question 17

What does the top number in a time signature mean

Answer 17

This indicates how many beats are in a bar.

Question 18

What does the bottom number in a time signature mean. Provide examples with:
2/4
9/8
3/2

Answer 18

What type of beats are in each bar.
2/4 - 2 CROTCHET or quarter notes per bar.
9/8 - This one is divisible by 3 so we often would say that it is 3 dotted crotchets per bar.
3/2 - 3 Minim or half notes per bar

Question 19

Why are groupings of notes important in music?

Answer 19

Groupings are important for musicians to read music easily. For example: 6/8 is usually grouped by 3 quavers or 2 dotted crotchets. Either way, the bar is split into 2, these are the pulses in the bar that are accented when counting music.

Question 20

Do rests need to be grouped appropriately?

Answer 20

Yes. They are similar to notes and get counted the same way.