“We have used a combination of both crotchets/quarter notes and
minims/half notes to total the four beats required”
Beats in a bar
01 First bar
In the first bar we have used four
crotchets/quarter notes, each
worth one beat, to complete the four
beats needed.02 Second bar
The second bar uses two minims/
half notes, each worth two beats,
which will once again total the four
we are after.03 Third bar
In the third bar, we have used a
combination of both crotchets/quarter
notes and minims/half notes to total
the four beats required.04 Fourth bar
Alternatively, we can fill an entire
four-beat bar with a semibreve/whole
note to get exactly the same effect, as
shown below in the fourth bar.If we take as an example, there are several ways in which notes can be used in each bar
4
401 02 03 04
1234
4
4
Time signature examples
Common time signatures seen throughout the book
3/4 time
This time signature dictates that there are to
be 3 crotchets/quarter notes to a bar. A dotted
minim/half note will take up the whole bar as
it lasts for 3 beats: 2 beats of the minim/half
note and 1 beat for its dot, which adds half of
the note’s original length.4/4 time
The most common time signature, 4/4 time
consists of four crotchet/quarter note beats. As
long as the number of beats in a bar totals 4,
you can have whatever combination of notes
you please – a semibreve/whole note will take
up a bar on its own.6/8 time
6/8 time comprises six quaver/eighth note
beats in a bar, which we have done here in
the second bar of our example. Emphasis is
placed on the first and fourth beats, which
means it’s perfect for upbeat jigs and, with a
slower tempo, ballads.