Beat Reading Time Signatures and Meter 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the top number in a time signature indicate?
- Tempo
- Type of note getting the beat
- Number of beats per measure (Correct answer)
- Number of measures
Correct answer: Number of beats per measure
The top number tells the performer how many beats are in each measure.
Question 2: Which time signature is known as 'waltz time'?
- 4/4
- 2/4
- 3/4 (Correct answer)
- 6/8
Correct answer: 3/4
3/4 time, with three beats per measure, gives the characteristic waltz feel.
Question 3: What is a simple meter?
- Any meter with 4 beats
- A meter where each beat divides into two equal parts (Correct answer)
- A meter with only quarter notes
- A meter slower than 60 BPM
Correct answer: A meter where each beat divides into two equal parts
In simple meter each beat naturally divides into two equal subdivisions.
Question 4: What is compound meter?
- Any meter above 4/4
- A meter where each beat divides into three equal parts (Correct answer)
- A meter with tied notes
- A meter combining two different time signatures
Correct answer: A meter where each beat divides into three equal parts
In compound meter each beat divides into three equal parts, such as in 6/8 or 9/8.
Question 5: In 2/4 time, which beat is typically the strongest?
- Beat 1 (Correct answer)
- Beat 2
- Both equally
- Neither
Correct answer: Beat 1
In 2/4 time beat 1 is the strong downbeat and beat 2 is the weak upbeat.
Question 6: How many beats does a measure of 9/8 contain when counted in three?
- 9
- 3 (Correct answer)
- 6
- 4
Correct answer: 3
9/8 is a compound meter felt as three beats, each subdivided into three eighth notes.
Beat Reading Time Signatures and Meter 1
What does the top number in a time signature indicate?