Time signatures

What does the top number mean in a time signature

The number of beats in the bar

What does the bottom number in a time signature mean

The type of beats being counted

If 2 is the bottom number of a key signature what is the type of beat

Minims

If 4 is the bottom number of a key signature what is the type of beat

Crochets

If 8 is the bottom number of a key signature what is the type of beat

Quavers

If 16 is the bottom number of a key signature what is the type of beat

Semi-quavers

What does simple time mean

You are counting in whole notes and the main beat is divided in 2’s

What does duple meter mean

There are 2 beats of whatever note you are counting in e.g. 6/8 as you are counting in dotted crochets

What does triple meter mean

There are 3 beats of whatever note you are counting in e.g. 9/8 as you are counting in dotted crochets

What does quadruple meter mean

There are 4 beats of whatever note you are counting in e.g. 12/8 as you are counting in dotted crochets

What top numbers are simple time

2, 3 and 4

What does compound time mean

Counting in dotted notes and the main beat is broken up into 3’s

What top notes are compound

6, 9 and 12

How does the beat type change when it has a compound top note

You count in 3x the amount of the bottom note

What does complex time mean

Bars cannot be divided into equal groups of 2/3

what top numbers are complex time

5 and 7

What would a crochet change to from simple time to compound time

A dotted crochet

What would 2 quavers change to from simple to compound

Duplet quavers

What would a triplet change to from simple to compound

3 quavers or a dotted crochet