How do musicians know how to play together? They look at something called time signature. It tells you how many beats are in a measure. The most common time signature is called, common time. Check out some examples below.
Episode 3 playlist
Ludwig Van Beethoven: "Ode to Joy" from Symphony No. 9 — The most standard time signature is called 4/4, or common time. There are four beats in a measure, and a quarter note gets the beat. Can you hear how there are four beats in each measure in this famous excerpt from Beethoven's "Ode to Joy"?
LISTEN Beethoven: Ode to Joy
Antonio Vivaldi: "Spring" from The Four Seasons — Try to think of these groups of four beats like a pulse, or a steady heartbeat. Try counting that steady beat as you tap your foot: 1, 2, 3, 4. Or by dividing the beat, 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Try it with this piece Vivaldi.
LISTEN Vivaldi: Spring
Scott Joplin: "The Entertainer" — In this piece by Scott Joplin, you might hear the beats grouped in two or four. What does it feel like to you?
LISTEN Joplin: The Entertainer
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