More Simple Time Signatures
In a previous lesson we learned how to count the simple time signatures of 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4. In this lesson we will learn more ways to notate time signatures, and learn to count time signatures that don’t use a quarter note as the beat.
Common Time
Common time is another name for 4/4 time. We can use a “c” on the staff to notate 4/4 time. The 4/4 time signature is one of the most common, so we call it common time.
It is counted the same as 4/4 time, and a quarter note gets the beat:
We will now look at time signatures that don’t use a quarter note as the beat.
Cut Time
Cut time is a 2/2 time signature. This time signature has 4 quarter notes per measure, but the beat falls on the half note.
Because the half note takes the beat, the notes have the following lengths:
Each half note is one beat, so two half notes are counted like this:
We can use various notes to make a full measure:
The quarter note takes a half beat, the 8th notes are 1/4 of a beat, and the half note lasts for one beat.
Other Time Signatures
This time signature has 3 half notes in each measure, making 3 beats:
The notes have the same lengths as cut time, except this time signature has one more beat.
Using the chart shown above, we can count measures in 3/2:
The half note takes on beat, the quarter notes are half a beat each, and four 8th notes make the final beat.
This time signature has an additional beat, with 4 half notes per measure:
The notes have the same length as 2/2 and 3/2:
The half notes are each one beat, the quarter notes are half a beat, and the 8th notes are 1/4 of a beat.
This time signature has 4 beats, and each beat is an 8th note. When an 8th note takes the beat, notes have the following lengths:
A full measure in 4/8 time can look like this:
We can also split up the last two beats with 16th notes:
16th notes last for half a beat in this time signature, so 4 of them make 2 beats.
This time signature has two 8th notes per measure.
Using the chart above we can count in 2/8 time:
Each 8th note is one beat so a 16th note is half a beat.
Practice
Download the Simple Time Signatures Worksheet to practice counting with these time signatures:
More Simple Time Signatures Worksheet
Practice counting rhythms in common time, cut time, and also time signatures with a half note or 8th note as the beat.
2 page PDF download: 1 page worksheet + 1 page answer key
Download and print from your computer
For personal use only, do not sell or distribute.
Coming Next: How to Count Uncommon Notes
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