Teaching the Time Signature

So you've hit time signatures and not quite sure what to do to reinforce the knowledge and power a time signature gives your student. In my step-by-step process, you will have students remembering the meaning for the both the top, and bottom number without trouble.

Many methods don't have a clear way of learning time signatures so that they make sense to kids in particular. I've always had to supplement methods with more discussion than is truly necessary. By providing some super helpful steps, your students will comprehend the practical use of a time signature and be able to explain it with ease.

Your student is learning about time signatures, and you want them to retain what they learn. Tell them you are going to teach them "Music Math." Carefully demonstrate and explain turning the Time Signature into a fraction. If your student is young and they haven't done fractions yet, you may want to start with an apple or orange that you have divided up into pieces in order to explain fractions.

STEP 1

See the image above for an example of how to write out your process. Start with the Time Signature, then place a line between the numbers to create a fraction.

STEP 2

Replace the top number of your fraction by re-writing the fraction with a 1 in the top position. This number should always be a 1.

STEP 3

Name the fraction. 1/4 equals one quarter; 1/8 equals one eighth. This is the type of note you are counting as "one." (If they struggle with understanding the term quarter, have the student tell you how many quarters are in a dollar, and then go from there.)

STEP 4

Create a "therefore" statement using equal signs and an explanation.

OPTIONAL STEP 5

I included this last step as optional purely because there are many different styles of learning that we deal with daily as teachers.

Clearly state that the top number indicates the maximum number of the note counted by that can be in each measure. In example, you can have a maximum of 4 quarter notes in each measure of 4/4 Time.

In order for some students to fully understand, you may need to give them a full layout of equivalencies for new signatures. In the example below, you could draw a little chart in their notebook or music that lays out the primary note types used and their value. This is particularly helpful in 3/8, 6/8, 12/8, 2/2 & 4/2 times.

• 3/8 Time
• Eighth - 1 beat
• Quarter - 2 beats
• Dotted Quarter - 3 beats
• Sixteenth - 1/2 beat
• Dotted Eighth - 1 1/2 beats

A lot of beginning students tend think that that Time Signature is somehow linked to Tempo. Gently remind them that this only affects how much we can put into each measure, not the pace of a piece. Use imagery such as slices of a pie or apple. Having them connect the pieces that fit with tactile senses (i.e. drawing a line or physically putting pieces together) reinforces the concept.

For students who routinely do not remember, go over the concept every lesson and provide worksheets. You can even choose to not explain graded worksheets, and let the student re-do the worksheet until completed correctly. This can force the student to investigate further, and find their personal understanding.