Understanding Time Signatures
Time signatures are written as fractions at the beginning of a staff. They regulate the rhythm of a song by organizing its beats in two ways:
- The top number shows how many beats are in each measure.
- The bottom number shows the length of the beats: A 4 means each beat is a quarter note long; a 2 indicates a half note, etc.
Common Time
4/4 time is also called common time because, you guessed it, it’s so common. You’ll see it a lot, so keep in mind:
- It is written 4/4, or with a C-shaped symbol, representing a half-circle.
- It’s also called quadruple meter.
Time signatures organize the beat, but the speed of the song depends on the tempo.
