Practice reading common time signatures, counting beats in measures, and identifying how rhythm fits into meter.
Read each problem carefully. Count the beats in each measure and show your work when needed.
Reading meter, counting measures, and finding strong beats
Music - Grade 6-8
- 1
In the time signature 4/4, what does the top number tell you, and what does the bottom number tell you?
- 2
Count this measure in 4/4 time: quarter note, quarter note, half note. Does the measure have the correct number of beats?
- 3
In 3/4 time, how many beats are in one measure, and which note value gets 1 beat?
- 4
A measure in 3/4 time contains a half note and a quarter note. How many beats are in the measure?
- 5
In 2/4 time, a measure contains two quarter notes. Write the counting syllables you would say while clapping the measure.
- 6
In 4/4 time, a measure contains four eighth notes followed by one half note. How many beats are in the measure?
- 7
In 6/8 time, what does the top number 6 tell you?
- 8
A measure in 6/8 time contains six eighth notes. Write the counting syllables you would use.
- 9
Which time signature usually has a strong beat on beat 1 and weaker beats on beats 2 and 3: 2/4, 3/4, or 4/4?
- 10
In 4/4 time, a measure contains a whole note. How many beats does the whole note receive, and does it fill the measure?
- 11
A rhythm in 4/4 time is counted as 1 and 2 and 3 4. Which beats are divided into eighth notes?
- 12
Create one complete measure in 4/4 time using any combination of quarter notes, half notes, eighth notes, or rests. Explain why your measure has 4 beats.