Skip to Content

Log in / Sign up

Q&A for How to Calculate the Time Signature of a Song

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Search

Add New Question

Question

I don't understand the bottom number in a time signature. Can you help?

Community Answer

The bottom number is the type of note (e.g. 4 is quarter, 8 is eighth, 16 is sixteenth).

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 27
Question

I am having trouble understanding the downbeat - what is the easiest way to figure this out?

Community Answer

The downbeat is the first beat of each measure in a song. Where it hits when counting the beats of a song depends on the time signature. For example, in the standard 4/4 time signature, the downbeat is the first beat out of every set of four beats. In 3/4, it is the first beat in every set of three beats.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 11 Helpful 18
Question

Is the downbeat the first beat in a song?

Community Answer

The downbeat is the first beat to a measure. The first beat of a song is a downbeat, but not the only one.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 17
Question

What does the bottom number of 4 4 times mean?

Community Answer

The bottom number represents the quality of the note, and the top represents the quantity. In this case, 4 means quarter notes. So, you have 4 quarter notes per measure.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 18
Question

What is the time signature for "Drive", by The Cars?

Community Answer

It's in 4:4.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 6
Question

How many beats in one measure does ¹²/¹⁶ have?

Community Answer

If the time signature was 12/16. There would be 12 beats in a measure, with each one being a sixteenth note.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

What is the time signature for 'Jailhouse Rock' by Elvis Presley?

Community Answer

The time signature in 'Jailhouse Rock' is 4/4. Meaning 4 beats per measure and the quarter note gets the beat.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How can I determine which note to select for the denominator in a piece that has whole, half, quarter and eighth notes?

Illuminatisnek0

Community Answer

There isn't a set method, but you can listen to the song and try to identify the beat.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How do I use a time signature to interpret music?

Community Answer

The upper number of a time signature represents the number of beats in a measure, and the lower number represents the type of note that represents one beat. For example, in a 4/4 time signature, there are four beats in a measure, and each beat is a quarter note.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How do I determine the tempo from the time signature?

Illuminatisnek0

Community Answer

You can't. The tempo is indicated separately, either as a specific number of beats per minute or with terms like allegro or andante.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

What is the time signature for "In the Depth" by Atmasfera? I believe it is in 3/4 time; can you confirm?

Kitty

Community Answer

You are correct; the song "In the Depth" by Atmasfera is in 3/4 time. If you count along while listening, you will notice three beats per measure and can also perceive subdivisions within each beat.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Return to Full Article

You Might Also Like

-

-

.mwimg a.image{display:none}#header_logo{display:none}#cse-search-box{display:none}#cse-search-box-noscript{display:block !important}#cse-search-box-noscript .cse_q{color:#FFF;background-color:#B3CE9C}.wh_search .cse_q{width:88%}#mw-mf-main-menu-button{display:none;visibility:hidden}.header .search{display:none}#search_footer .cse_sa{background-image:url(/extensions/wikihow/mobile/images/white_mag.png);background-size:22px}.related_box{display:block;background:#EEE;border:5px solid #FFF;vertical-align:bottom;width:127px;background-size:180px;float:left;height:120px;position:relative}.related_box p{line-height:15px !important;font-size:13px;background-color:rgba(67,95,44,.4);color:#FFF;font-weight:bold;padding:8px;margin:0 !important;position:absolute;bottom:0}#noscript_header_logo{display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;background-position:50% 77%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(/extensions/wikihow/mobile/images/wikihow_logo_230.png);background-size:105px;width:auto;height:51px;padding:0 14px}.articleinfo{display:none}#iorg_free_data{z-index:50;width:100%;position:fixed}#ara_recommendations{display:none}

重庆教育信息网--首页志均博客-专注优质资源分享汕尾今博电业有限公司北京千宜科技有限公司|移动APP定制专家|电子商务|移动医疗|本地服务