Music is divided into bars (measures) by vertical bar lines. A double bar line marks the end of a section, and a final bar line (thin then thick) marks the end of the piece.
The time signature
At the start of the music, two numbers stacked on top of each other form the time signature. The top number tells you how many beats are in each bar; the bottom number tells you what kind of beat — a 4 means a crotchet (quarter-note) beat.
X:1
L:1/4
M:4/4
K:C clef=treble
G G G G | c2 c2 |
Grade 1 time signatures
- 2/4 — two crotchet beats in a bar.
- 3/4 — three crotchet beats in a bar (like a waltz).
- 4/4 — four crotchet beats in a bar. Often shown as C for "common time".
X:1
L:1/4
M:3/4
K:C clef=treble
E G c | G3 |
Whatever the time signature, the notes in each bar must add up to exactly the right number of beats.
Remember
- Top number = beats per bar; bottom number 4 = crotchet beat.
- 2/4 = 2 beats, 3/4 = 3 beats, 4/4 = 4 beats (common time, C).
- Bar lines divide the music; the final bar line ends the piece.