"Time Signatures and the Note Relationship"Note Duration and BeatRhythm is expressed, stated, and describe with atime signature (time) and defines the note duration and time relationship. Let's reexamine the measure we defined previously.

FOUR / FOUR Time:So here we have one of the most common timewhich is four-four time. We have found it easier to start with the bottom numeral to clarify what will be counted. What the numbers mean: The bottom numeral is the duration or length of the beat and is the counting note; in this case the quarter note

Therefore, each quarter note gets a count of 1 beat.

The top numeral is the number of beats per measure; so we will have 4 beats per measure.

Count and clap: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4.

So put the 4/4 timeanother way. The counting will be done on quarter notes and there will be four counts per measure.

More below to help get this down cold.

"Rhythm Counting Beats"How Note Beat Relationships Work with the Time SignatureHeres where we begin to get it together in counting rhythm beats. The fun is about to begin. We are going to spend a lot of time here, because this is the foundation that will launch you to new heights in your ability to play music.A beat gets one count. 4/4 time signature

Let look at time signature of 4/4. Quarter note gets one beat and one count. So our basic counting is "one two three four" for the following measure.

Each quarter note gets a beat count and a clap. Try it now several times in a row until it feels smooth.2/2 time signatureNow look at the 2/2 time signature

Each half note gets a beat count and a clap. Try it several times in a row until it feels smooth.

3/4 time signature

Next up lets look at the 3/4 time signature, we are back to counting quarter notes as our beat and with three beats per measure. Try this one.

6/8 time signature

Now its 6/8 time using the eight note as our beat count.

Counting With Other NotesSo far we have really just looked at the straight beat and worked with time signature beat notes that line up with every beat in our measure. Lets explore 6/8 time in our rhythm counting beats effort. Here an eighth note will get one beat and quarter notes will get two beats. Where it says hold keep your hands together.

Did you catch the change in clapping in the second measure? Remember that a quarter note gets twice as many counts because it takes two eighth notes to make a quarter note. Therefore we clap and hold.

We say hold here because if we where playing a keyboard we would play the quarter note and hold it through two beats (counts 1 & 2 of the second measure).Adding A Variety Of NotesLets move it up a notch. Here try it again with dotted notes and half notes.The is used to indicate continue to hold.

Eighth note gets one clap per beat

The half note (4 notes) gets one clap for four beats (count 3 4 5& 6)

The dotted quarter note (3 notes) gets one clap for 3 beats (2nd measure counts 1 2 & 3)

The quarter note (2 notes) gets one clap for 2 beats (count 5& 6)

Practice this a few times to get the feel of it.

Download this practice sheet to help you master the basic rhythm counting.Download this practice sheet to help you master the basic rhythm counting Link: Rhythm CounitngPractice Sheet #2That's the basic idea behind counting rhythm and how the rhythm counting beats is held for different note types and values, This takes a bit of practice, but you can take sheet music with the basic beat counts and count note rhythm by labeling with the count.Drilling Rhythm a Peferred Partner Resource:If you would like a few additional resources to drill your rhythmic note values then head over to MakingMusicFun.net. This music education website features a fun time at the Music Press Distress Game.

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