Rhythm Symbols
Rhythm is the pattern of long and short sounds. All music has rhythm. In order to show
this rhythm on paper, we need more symbols.
This is a barline.
A barline divides the staff.
This is a measure.
A measure is the distance between two
barlines.
This is a double barline.
A double barline is used at the end of a song
or the end of a major section of a song.
The two numbers at the beginning of a piece of music are called the time signature:
The upper number of a time signature
tells
how many beats are in a measure. In
the example, there are two beats in
each measure.
c2/4 time signature
The lower number tells what kind of
note has one beat. In this example, the
quarter note equals one beat.
Here are some more time signatures.
3/4 time signature
4/4 time signature
In this example, there are three
beats in each measure.
The lower number is still a 4, which
means the quarter note equals one
beat.
6/8 time signature
In this example, there are six beats
in each measure.
Notice that the lower number has
changed to an 8. This means the
eighth note now equals one beat.
In this example, there are four
beats in each measure.
The lower number is still a 4, which
means the quarter note still equals
one beat.
12/8 time signature
Here's a different one! In this
example, there are twelve beats in
each measure.
The lower number is still an 8,
which means the eighth note
equals one beat. Hmm, if the eighth
note equals 1 beat, how much does
the quarter note equal now? How
much does a half note equal? __
(answer)
YOUR ASSIGNMENT
A. Write the names of these rhythm symbols:
B. How many measures are there on the staff below? ___________.
XX
C. When 2/4 is the time signature, how many beats are in a measure? ___________.
What if the time signature is 3/4? _____________.
Extra Challenge. When 2/8 is the time signature, what kind of note equals one beat?
___________.
When 3/2 is the time signature, what kind of note equals one beat? _____________.
Answer Key
If an eighth note equals 1 beat, the quarter note would equal 2 beats for it is twice as long
in duration. The half note would equal 4 beats ... and the whole note would equal 8
beats!_(back)
ccccA. 1. This is a barline.
3. This is a double
barline.
2. This is a time signature (a 3/4 time signature, to
be exact!)
4. This is a measure.
B. There are eight measures on the staff .
C. When 2/4 is the time signature, there are 2 beats in each measure. When the time
signature is 3/4, there are 3 beats in each measure.
Extra Challenge. When 2/8 is the time signature, an eighth note equals one beat. When
3/2 is the time signature, the half note equals one beat.