Time signatures

Eleven time signatures, each with two engraved bars, the counting, the stress, pieces on the site in that time and a metronome already set to it.

The two numbers at the start of the line say how to count: the upper how many counts fit in a bar, the lower which note is one count. 3/4 means three quarters per bar, 6/8 six eighths.

1. 4/44/4 time4 quarter notes · 4 beats · groups 2+2The most common time of all: pop, rock, hymns, most marches.
2. 3/43/4 time3 quarter notes · 3 beats · groups 3The waltz, the minuet, many songs.
3. 2/42/4 time2 quarter notes · 2 beats · groups 2Polka, march, children's songs, ragtime.
4. 2/22/2 time2 half notes · 2 beats · groups 2Alla breve, written as a C with a stroke through it: two half notes per bar.
5. 6/86/8 time6 eighth notes · 2 beats · groups 3+3Six eighths in two groups of three: you feel two beats, each divided in three.
6. 3/83/8 time3 eighth notes · 1 beat · groups 3Three eighths, one beat per bar: light and quick.
7. 9/89/8 time9 eighth notes · 3 beats · groups 3+3+3Three groups of three eighths: three swaying beats, each divided in three.
8. 12/812/8 time12 eighth notes · 4 beats · groups 3+3+3+3Four groups of three eighths: four beats, each divided in three.
9. 5/45/4 time5 quarter notes · 5 beats · groups 3+2Five quarters, usually felt as 3+2 (sometimes 2+3): »Take Five«, the »Mission: Impossible« theme.
10. 7/87/8 time7 eighth notes · 3 beats · groups 2+2+3Seven eighths, usually 2+2+3: Balkan music, progressive rock.
11. 6/46/4 time6 quarter notes · 2 beats · groups 3+3Six quarters in two groups of three — like 6/8, only written with quarters.

Note values and rests · Metronome · Clefs · Reading music — the start · All terms

Every note on this page is computed, not typed in — following the rule that also makes F# major spell its seventh degree E#, not F.