Time Signatures

Question 1

Top number of time signature

Answer 1

Number of counts per bar

Question 2

Bottom number of time signature

Answer 2

What kind of notes make up one bar

Question 3

What do these bottom numbers mean:
2
4
8
16

Answer 3

2 is minims
4 is crotchets
8 is quavers
16 is semi quavers

Question 4

Simple time

Answer 4

2, 3, 4
Top number is number of beats per bar
Each beat split into 2 equal notes

Question 5

Compound time

Answer 5

6, 9, 12
Top number divided by 3 is beats per bar
Each beat split into 3 equal notes

Question 6

How to work out time signature

Answer 6

1. Add up notes (crotchets or quavers)
2. If it doesn’t divide by 2, 3 or 4 then time signature is irregular
3. If it does divide by 2, 3 or 4 then work out if it is 2, 3 or 4 time. Look at beaming, rests and ties.

Question 7

How to convert time signature

Answer 7

1. How many and what type of beats in the original time signature
2. Add or takeaway dotted and convert to single/compound time

Question 8

How to convert rhythm

Answer 8

1. Divide the bar into beats
2. Add dotted notes, ties and duplets/triplets where necessary
3. Convert time signature