Music: Time Signatures and Counting Beats Worksheet

Question 1

In the time signature 4/4, what does the top number tell you, and what does the bottom number tell you?

Accepted Answer

In 4/4 time, the top number tells you there are 4 beats in each measure. The bottom number tells you that a quarter note gets 1 beat.

Question 2

Count this measure in 4/4 time: quarter note, quarter note, half note. Does the measure have the correct number of beats?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the measure has the correct number of beats. A quarter note is 1 beat, another quarter note is 1 beat, and a half note is 2 beats, for a total of 4 beats.

Question 3

In 3/4 time, how many beats are in one measure, and which note value gets 1 beat?

Accepted Answer

In 3/4 time, there are 3 beats in one measure. The quarter note gets 1 beat.

Question 4

A measure in 3/4 time contains a half note and a quarter note. How many beats are in the measure?

Accepted Answer

The measure has 3 beats. The half note gets 2 beats, and the quarter note gets 1 beat, so 2 + 1 = 3.

Question 5

In 2/4 time, a measure contains two quarter notes. Write the counting syllables you would say while clapping the measure.

Accepted Answer

You would count the measure as 1, 2. Each quarter note gets one beat in 2/4 time.

Question 6

In 4/4 time, a measure contains four eighth notes followed by one half note. How many beats are in the measure?

Accepted Answer

The measure has 4 beats. Four eighth notes equal 2 beats, and one half note equals 2 beats, so the total is 4 beats.

Question 7

In 6/8 time, what does the top number 6 tell you?

Accepted Answer

The top number 6 tells you that there are 6 eighth-note beats in each measure.

Question 8

A measure in 6/8 time contains six eighth notes. Write the counting syllables you would use.

Accepted Answer

You would count the measure as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Each eighth note gets one beat in 6/8 time.

Question 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?

Accepted Answer

The time signature 3/4 usually has a strong beat on beat 1 and weaker beats on beats 2 and 3. This is the meter often used for a waltz feel.

Question 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?

Accepted Answer

A whole note receives 4 beats in 4/4 time. It fills the entire measure because 4/4 time has 4 beats per measure.

Question 11

A rhythm in 4/4 time is counted as 1 and 2 and 3 4. Which beats are divided into eighth notes?

Accepted Answer

Beats 1 and 2 are divided into eighth notes. The word and shows the second half of each divided beat.

Question 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.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary. One correct example is two quarter notes and one half note, because 1 beat + 1 beat + 2 beats = 4 beats total.

Music: Time Signatures and Counting Beats

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