4. Time is vital when playing the piano as it gives balance to music.

• In this chapter, you will learn to keep up with the beat, know the different music durations, understand changes in time, etc.

4.1. After the key signature, the upper and lower numbers indicated per staff are called the Time Signature.

• This sets the number of beats per measure, arranging a standard time to make reading the piano score easier.

4.1.1. Beat is the basic unit of time in music, similar to a pulse or heartbeat.

• Its pattern is called rhythm.
• A meter is a specific group of beats or patterns.
• Count 1 per beat, then start again with 1 in the next measure.

4.1.2. Setting the beat with crossheads

• Pitchless notes
• Disregarding the clefs, key signatures, and even the staves.

4.1.3. To determine the beat duration,

• Identify the notes based on duration or value,
• Count 4 beats for whole notes,
• 2 beats for half notes,
• and 1 beat for quarter notes.

4.1.4. Equivalent note duration

• Quarter notes match the duration of each beat.
• The beat duration is 4 because the beat or note is a quarter or 1/4.  

4.1.5. If the notes have the same beat:

• The lower number shows the note type (quarter or 4th).
• The upper number shows the total number of that note type per measure (4 notes).

4.1.6. As already observed, the time signature

• Shows the total number of a certain note type
• or its equivalent duration per measure, as long as the overall beat is followed.

4.1.7. Measures are separated by bar lines.

• To help you read music along the beat.
• Each measure is calculated to have the same beat with the accurate total number of note durations.

Learn to keep up with the beat, read note and rest durations, and understand changes in time.

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