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Unit 2 - Time Signatures

The document explains the classification of time signatures in music based on the number of beats in a bar and the subdivision of beats. It describes binary, ternary, and quaternary time signatures, along with simple and compound subdivisions. Additionally, it provides guidelines for analyzing time signatures and includes exercises for practice.

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9 views6 pages

Unit 2 - Time Signatures

The document explains the classification of time signatures in music based on the number of beats in a bar and the subdivision of beats. It describes binary, ternary, and quaternary time signatures, along with simple and compound subdivisions. Additionally, it provides guidelines for analyzing time signatures and includes exercises for practice.

Uploaded by

zenitsu9648
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIT 2 – TIME SIGNATURES.

In music, we can find an infinity of time signatures, which we have to think, feel and mark in
a certain way. We can classify time signatures by:

1. The number of beats in a bar.

We can find bars that fit 2, 3 or 4 beats. Depending on the number of pulses, we can
commonly differentiate between three types of time signatures:

- Binary time signatures (two beats).

2/4 is an example of a binary time signature, as well as 6/8. In binary time signatures, the first
beat is strong and the second is weak:

The beats are represented, in this case, with blue lines. As you can se, I have placed an accent
on every first beat.

- Ternary time signatures (three beats).

3/4 is an example of a ternary time signature, as well as 9/8. In ternary time signatures, the first
beat is strong, while second and third are weak:
The beats are represented, in this case, with blue lines. As you can se, I have placed an accent
on every first beat.

- Quaternary time signatures (four beats). *

4/4 is an example of a quaternary time signature, as well as 12/8. In quaternary time signatures,
the first beat is strong, the second one is weak, the third one is semi-strong (not as strong as
the first one), and the fourth beat is weak:

The beats are represented, in this case, with blue lines. As you can se, I have placed an accent
on every first and third beat.
*We can find the 4/4 and 2/2 time signatures abbreviated like this:

2. The subdivision of the beat.

A beat can be divided into equal parts. For example, if we are in 2/4:

The beat is represented with a blue line. As you can see, our beat is a quarter note, but we are
dividing it into eighths and sixteenths. We are subdividing the beat.

Here we have another example. This time, we are in 6/8:

In this case, as you can see, our beat is a dotted quarter note, and we are also dividing it into
eighth notes. We are, as well, subdividing the beat.
The main difference between this two examples is that, while the beat in the first one (in 2/4)
is divided into two eights, the beat in the second example (in 6/8) is divided into three
eighths. So, we can differenciate two types of time signatures:

- Simple time signatures (the beat is subdivided into 2 parts). These time signatures
are of binary subdivision, because the beat is divided in 2. The numerator (upper
number of the time signature) is always 2, 3 or 4.

- Compound time signatures (the beat is subdivided into 3 parts). These time
signatures are of ternary subdivision, because the beat is divided in 3. The numerator
(upper number of the time signature) is always 6, 9 or 12.
3. Analyzing time signatures.

To be able to understand better time signatures, in order to be able to play them correctly, we
are going to practice some analyzing exercises.

When we analyze time signatures, we have to get:

- Beat figure: Which figure is our beat?


- Bar figure: Which is the biggest figure we can fit in the bar?
- Subdivision figure: If we subdivide the beat, which figure do we get?
- Type of subdivision: Is it a binary subdivision (where the beat is divided in two) or a
ternary subdivision (where the beat is divided in three)?
- Type of time signature depending on the number of beats in a bar: How do we
mark it: in two parts (binary), in three parts (ternary) or in four parts (quaternary)?
- Type of time signature depending on the subdivision of the beat: Is it simple (the
beat divided in two) or compound (the beat divided on three)? Trick: if the numerator
is 2, 3 or 4 it is simple; if the numerator is 6, 9 or 12 it is compound.

Here you have an example of an analyzed time signature:

Beat figure: Quarter note


Bar figure: Half note
Subdivision figure: Eighth note
Type of subdivision: Binary subdivision
Type of time signature depending on the number of beats in a bar: Binary time signature
Type of time signature depending on the subdivision of the beat: Simple
EXERCISE:

Now I want you to analyze the following time signatures:

Beat figure:
Bar figure:
Subdivision figure:
Type of subdivision:
Type of time signature depending on the number of beats in a bar:
Type of time signature depending on the subdivision of the beat:

Beat figure:
Bar figure:
Subdivision figure:
Type of subdivision:
Type of time signature depending on the number of beats in a bar:
Type of time signature depending on the subdivision of the beat:

Beat figure:
Bar figure:
Subdivision figure:
Type of subdivision:
Type of time signature depending on the number of beats in a bar:
Type of time signature depending on the subdivision of the beat:
Beat figure:
Bar figure:
Subdivision figure:
Type of subdivision:
Type of time signature depending on the number of beats in a bar:
Type of time signature depending on the subdivision of the beat:

Beat figure:
Bar figure:
Subdivision figure:
Type of subdivision:
Type of time signature depending on the number of beats in a bar:
Type of time signature depending on the subdivision of the beat:

If you want to learn some more things about time signatures, I recommend you to visit the
following link: Time signature | Musiclever

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