Session Nine:
Time Signature Changes
Below is an example of 2 different time signatures, each with a different top and bottom figures.
Top Figure Changes
The Top Figure of the time signature tells the number of beats in each bar.
The number of beats decides the Meter Pattern.
The Meter Pattern decides the Conducting Pattern.
Top Figure = Number of Beats = Meter Pattern = Conducting Pattern
If Top Figure of the time signature is changed, the Meter Pattern is changed.
And it changes Accent Beat the which is usually, but not always the first beat of each bar.
Exercise / Activity
Practise using below music notes:
1. Beat the meter pattern with your arm.
2. Stamp the accent beat (first beat) with your foot.
3. Say the movement words (or the music words).
Use a whistle or recorder instead of your voice or
Use one key on a keyboard.
Line patterns can be read as:
1. Movement Words
2. Music Time Words
3. Played as long and short sounds on instruments
Here are some lines of music notes in bars for you to turn into sounds.
Their Top Figures are different.
When 2/4 is the time signature.
is the boss of these bars.
sings taa. It is equal to 1 beat.
When 3/4 is the time signature.
is the boss of these bars.
sings taa. It is equal to 1 beat.
When 4/4 is the time signature.
is the boss of these bars.
sings taa. It is equal to 1 beat.
Top Figure Groups
A composer can choose from several numbers of beats for the Top Figure of the time signature.
Top Figure can be grouped in these ways:
SIMPLE TIME
COMPOUND TIME - Beats are broken into 3 parts
COMPLEX TIME – Different meter patterns join
