Beat Basics
How many beats are in a measure of 4/4?
4 Beats
If a measure is divided into 4 equal parts, what fraction of the measure does each part represent?
1/4
Clap a rhythm in 2/4 time
Clap twice, once on each beat.
What does the top number in a time signature mean?
The number of beats in each measure
I'm marching - what time signature am I in?
2/4 (not 4/4! Think left-right, left-right, etc.)
How many beats are there in 3/4 time?
3 beats
What fraction best represents a half-note?
1/2 (also accept 2/4)
Clap a rhythm in 3/4 with emphasis on the first beat
Clap 3 times, emphasizing the first beat.
What time signature feels like a 'waltz'?
3/4
I'm dancing a 'waltz' - what time signature is the music I'm dancing in?
3/4
How many beats does 2/4 have?
2 beats per bar
If a whole note is divided into 8 equal parts, what fraction does each part represent?
1/8
Clap a rhythm that divides into three equal parts
1!-2-3 (1!-2-3) (1!-2-3)
a quarter note
This rhythm sounds like "1-and-a-2-and-a" - with emphasis on 1 and 2. What meter am I in?
6/8
How many beats in cut time?
2!
How many 8th notes are in a measure of 6/8?
6 eighth notes
Clap a measure of 6/8 with emphasis on the 1st and 4th eight notes
1! 2 3 4! 5 6
What does the time signature 6/8 mean
6 eight notes per measure
I have two beats per measure and each beat is divided into three eight notes. What time signature am I?
6/8
In 6/8 - how many beats are there per bar?
2!
If a beat is divided into three, what fraction is each part of the full beat?
1/3
Clap a bar of 3/4 and then 6/8
1-2-3, 1--2-- (hemiola!)
What time signature would feel similar to 4/4 but has a compound feel?
12/8 - (1!-(2-3) - 2!-(2-3) - 3!-(2-3) - 4! (2-3)
12/8