Chapter 2, Time Signatures

Bars

• Music written on stave

• Bars are musical units of equal length, into which we organise otes, pulse, and rhythm.

• Bar lines are vertical lines that separate bars.

• Double bar lines are used to indicate the end of a piece of music.

Time Signatures

• 2/4 - two crotchet beats per bar

• 3/4 - three crotchet beats per bar

• 4/4 - four crotchet beats per bar

• 4/4 can also be referred to as common time, symbolised with “C”

• 2/2 - two minim beats per bar, alla breve, cut common time

Ostinato

• An ostinato in music is a repeating pattern of notes.

• A rhythmic ostinato is a repeating rhythmic pattern.

• It can be very simple or quite compex.

Dictation

• Dictation is the skill of listening to music and being ble to write down what you hear.