Time Signature

A TIME SIGNATURE gives you information on how the beats are arrange in a piece of music. It is also known as METRE.

Top number

How many beats are in the bar

Bottom number

What note value each beat is worth

Number 2 on the bottom

Note value = minims

Number 4 on the bottom

Note value = crotchets

Number 8 on the bottom

Note value = quavers

Simple time signatures

Beats that can be broken down into two notes (Exception: 3/4)

Compound time signatures

Beats that can be broken down into three notes.

Simple metre

Compound metre

Simple metre

Compound metre

Simple metre

Compound metre