simple time measure/bar barline the time signature is placed after the clef. double bar line (end)...

BASIC RUDIMENTSSimple Time

measure/barbarline barline

The time signature is placed after the clef.

doublebar line(end)

Music is divided into measures which are separated by barlines.

The upper number of the time signature tells us the number of beats in each bar.

The lower number of the time signature tells us the note value that gets one beat.

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3 beats in each bar

When the upper number of the time signature is 2, 3 or 4, the music is in simple time.

When the top number is 2, the time is simple duple.

When the top number is 3, the time is simple triple.

When the top number is 4, the time is simple quadruple.

In simple duple time, there are 2 beats per bar.

half note gets one beat

quarter note gets one beat

eighth note gets one beat

This symbol is sometimes used instead of .

This time is also called Cut Time.

In simple triple time, there are 3 beats per bar.

half note gets one beat

quarter note gets one beat

eighth note gets one beat

In simple quadruple time, there are 4 beats per bar.

half note gets one beat

quarter note gets one beat

eighth note gets one beat

This symbol is sometimes used instead of .

This time is also called Common Time.

WRITE IT RIGHT!

Each number in a time signature takes up two staff spaces:

The “C” in the Common and Cut Time symbols takes up the two middle spaces of the staff.

Simple duple accent pattern: Strong – weak

In every time signature, the strongest accent always occurs on the first beat of the bar.

> w > w > w > w 1 2 | 1 2 | 1 2 | 1 2 ||

Simple triple accent pattern: Strong – weak - weak

Simple quadruple accent pattern: Strong – weak – medium - weak

> w w > w w > w w > w w 1 2 3 | 1 2 3 | 1 2 3 | 1 2 3 ||

> w m w > w m w > w m w 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 ||

Notes are grouped according to the time signature. Although there are exceptions, flagged notes are generally beamed together in groups to equal one beat.

w > (w) m w > w m (w) > (w) (m)

When music doesn’t begin on a strong beat, an incomplete bar is added at the beginning. This will place the accent correctly on the first beat of each bar.

The remainder of the partial bar is always found at the end of the piece.

Incomplete bar1 beat

Incomplete bar3 beats

Irregular three-note groups called triplets may be found in simple time.

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Triplets take the time of two notes of the same value.

The End