Beats and Time Signatures

Beats

Written music tells us how long each note should sound, by giving notes different shapes. Each different shape lasts for a certain number of beats which is we can count.

is Semibreve. It is British name for a Whole Note, represented by a hollow oval note head, like a half note (or minim) but no note stem. Semibreve last for four beats. Most other notes are fractions of the whole note; half notes are played for one half the duration of the whole note, quarter notes are each played for one quarter the duration, etc.

is Minim. It is British name for a Half Note, represented with a hollow oval note head (like a whole note) and a straight note stem with no flags. Minim last for two beats or a quarter the time-value of the Whole Note.

is Crochet. It is British name for a Quarter Note, represented with a filled-in oval note head and a straight, flagless stem. Crochet last for one beat. It is played quicker than a minim and slower than a quaver.

is Quaver. It is British name for a Eight Note, represented with an oval, filled-in note head and a straight note stem with one flag. Quaver last for a half beat.

The ‘stems’ of notes can face up or down, it doesn’t make any difference to the note. It just to keep music note tidy and clear. Normally, the stem facing upwards if it is below the middle line of the stave or downwards if it is on or above the middle line. Flags are always on the right side of the stem.

Time Signatures

At the beginning of all music, you will find two numbers or a sign like a large letter “C”. These are Time Signatures. They tell us how many beats there are in each bar and the value of the beats.

Most of Time Signatures consist of two numbers: the top number tells us how many beats in each bar; and the bottom number gives the value of beat.

In the  Time Signature shown above, the top number tells us there are two beats in the bar. The bottom number tells us that these beats are Quarter Notes.

So, in   music, there are two Quarter Note beats in each bar.

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