| After learning simple music theory such as the | | | | groups as if they were just one big beat. This |
| different types of notes and what the stave, | | | | means that in a rapidly moving piece of sheet |
| time signature and clef symbols are you are then | | | | music written in 6/8 time you would have two |
| ready to delve further into learning about the | | | | separate pulses. |
| different types of time that are found in music. | | | | The first one will be on the first of the eighth |
| Put simply the three types are simple, compound | | | | notes and will be a strong one. The second will be |
| and irregular times. Simple time is the easiest to | | | | lighter and will hit on the fourth of the eighth |
| identify. | | | | notes. This will leave you with two countable |
| In simple time the top number will always be a 2,3 | | | | beats for each bar. Each of these two beats will |
| or 4 denoting that there will be that many beats | | | | then be able to divide into three. This benefit to 6 |
| per bar. This is very straight forward and is easy | | | | 8 time is what helps it to be an almost perfect |
| for beginning music students to pick up making it | | | | marching tempo. As a matter of fact, many of |
| a good choice for beginner bands. The next type | | | | the early 20th century military marches were |
| of time, compound, is also relatively easy to | | | | written in this time signature. |
| distinguish. It will be a number that is greater than | | | | Most of the time you will find 6/8 time described |
| four, but at the same time it must be divisible by | | | | as having two dotted quarter notes per bar |
| three. | | | | rather than having six eighth notes per bar. Some |
| When you examine compound time you will notice | | | | of the other compound time signatures include 12 |
| that the notes will normally be grouped in threes. | | | | 8 and 9/8 time. In 12/8 time you will find four |
| One example of this can be found in 6/8 time | | | | groups total. This means there would be four |
| where you will find two groups of three eighth | | | | dotted quarter notes for each bar. In 9/8 time |
| notes each. You can also find many different | | | | you will find three groups of three eighth notes |
| combinations of these. You might find two quarter | | | | which will be represented by three dotted quarter |
| notes and two eighth notes together in one bar | | | | notes for each bar. |
| or you might find two dotted quarter notes. You | | | | The last type of time is irregular time. The top |
| could also find a dotted half note. | | | | number will always be higher than four but it must |
| While this may seem rather easy in and of itself it | | | | not be divisible by three. Some examples of |
| can be a bit tricky. If you were only counting the | | | | irregular time signatures includes 7/4 and 5/8 |
| beats in slow music you would find it rather easy. | | | | time. Note that the top numbers are both higher |
| Faster music can be a good deal harder however. | | | | than four but three will definitely not divide into |
| It is much easier to just count the eighth note | | | | them. |