{"id":2895,"date":"2011-02-19T22:08:46","date_gmt":"2011-02-20T05:08:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/?p=2895"},"modified":"2025-03-28T10:50:10","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T17:50:10","slug":"learn-to-read-piano-music-time-signatures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/learn-to-read-piano-music-time-signatures\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn to Read Piano Music &#8211; Time Signatures"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div width=\"440\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/learn-to-read-piano-music-time-signatures\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/3-4-Time-Signature.jpg\" alt=\"3-4-time-signature\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11034\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"4\"><\/p>\n<div width=\"440\">\n  In the video below, you will be practicing how to count notes in a measure, in order to keep time in music. A <strong><a title=\"Time Signatures\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/lessons\/preparation\/basicmusicnotation\/?id=5\/#lesson5\" target=\"_blank\">time signature<\/a><\/strong> tells you how a particular piece of music is played.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n  The bottom part with a number four (4) indicates that each count (or beat) gets a quarter note.\n<\/div>\n<p><!--more--><br \/>\n<\/font><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<ol>\n<ul>\n<font size=\"5\" font color=\"burgundy\"><\/p>\n<table width=\"300\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n      <strong>2\/4<\/strong> time &#8211; <strong>Two<\/strong> counts (beats) per measure<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n      <strong>3\/4<\/strong> time &#8211; <strong>Three<\/strong> counts (beats) per measure<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n      <strong>4\/4<\/strong> time &#8211; <strong>Four<\/strong> counts (beats) per measure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/font><\/ul>\n<\/ol>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"4\"><\/p>\n<div width=\"440\" align=\"center\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/staff_key_signature_explanation.jpg\" alt=\"Time Signatures\" width=\"440\" height=\"350\" \/><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/3-4-Time-Signature.jpg\" alt=\"3-4-time-signature\" width=\"440\" height=\"350\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11034\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/font><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"5\"> <\/p>\n<table width=\"440\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n      Learn <a title=\"Time Signatures\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/lessons\/preparation\/basicmusicnotation\/?id=5\"><strong>Time Signatures<\/strong><\/a> (Free Lesson with <span style=\"color: red;\">Flash<\/span> Demos) &#8211; to<br \/>\npractice HOW TO COUNT<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n      the notes (Free online interactive <a title=\"Z-Board\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/resources\/musictools\/virtualkeyboard\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Z-Board<\/strong><\/a> provided.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n       <iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"440\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X5hbeNNRHx8\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/font><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<!--\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"440\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aJ3kMAMOonI\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen>\n&nbsp;\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/b0hocuYC0Ds\" width=\"440\" height=\"380\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\n--><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"5\"> <\/p>\n<table width=\"350\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n      Now that you have learned how to count the beats, you are ready to learn how to play an easy piano song, <strong>Brother John<\/strong>, click below.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n      As you can see this song is played in <strong>4\/4 time<\/strong>, which means there are four (4) beats in a measure, and each beat receives a quarter notes.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/lessons\/beginner\/learnsongs\/?id=6\/#lesson6\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/How-to-Play-Brother-John-and-Virtual-Piano.1.jpg\" alt=\"How to Play Brother John and Virtual Piano.1\" width=\"350\" height=\"450\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9184\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/font><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<strong><font size=\"3\" font color=\"burgundy\"><\/p>\n<table width=\"440\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\">\n      _________________________________<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\">\n      You May Also Like:<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<strong><em><font size=\"3\"><\/p>\n<table width=\"200\" cellspacing=\"15\" cellpadding=\"8\">\n<tr>\n<td width=\"60\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Access free<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/resources\/musictools\/virtualkeyboard\/\">Virtual Piano<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"80\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/lessons\/#listoffreepianolessons\">List of 50 Free Piano Lessons<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/resources\/musictools\/keyboardtrainer\/\" target=\"_blank\">Free Interactive Keyboard Trainer<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/font><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"4\"><\/p>\n<table width=\"400\" cellspacing=\"8\" cellpadding=\"8\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n      <strong><font size=\"3\" font color=\"red\">Lesson 2<\/font> &#8211; <font size=\"3\">Names of White Keys<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/lessons\/preparation\/pianolayout\/?id=2\/#lesson2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/white-key-names.jpg\" alt=\"White Key Names\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3896\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n      <strong><font size=\"3\" font color=\"red\">Lesson 3<\/font> &#8211; <font size=\"3\">Names of Black Keys<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/lessons\/preparation\/pianolayout\/?id=3\/#lesson3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/black-key-names.jpg\" alt=\"Black Key Names\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3914\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n      <strong><font size=\"3\" font color=\"red\">Lesson 4<\/font> &#8211; <font size=\"3\">Piano Grand Staff<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/lessons\/preparation\/basicmusicnotation\/?id=4\/#lesson4\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Music-Notation.20.jpg\" alt=\"Music Notation.20\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10035\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/lessons\/beginner\/technique\/#fivefingerexercise\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/fivefingerexercises.jpg\" alt=\"Five Finger Exercises\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4389\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/font><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><\/p>\n<table width=\"250\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"250\">\n      <font size=\"12\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/lessons\/preparation\/basicmusicnotation\/?id=4\">How to Read Music<\/a><\/strong><\/font><br \/>\n      Learn Basic Music Notation<br \/>\n      Free Online Piano Lessons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/font><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"4\"><\/p>\n<table width=\"440\" align=\"center\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"5\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n      <strong><font color=\"burgundy\">BIG NOTE PIANO SONGS<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n      Includes 11 Easy Songs for Beginners: <em>Bingo | Brother John | Camptown Races | Happy Birthday | London Bridge Is Falling Down | Old MacDonald | Row, Row, Row Your Boat | Twinkle Little Star and more.<\/em>&nbsp;<br \/>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Note-Piano-Songs-Beginner-Book-ebook\/dp\/B08CTWLSWM\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/Big-Note-Piano-Songs-1-500x233.jpg\" alt=\"Big-Note-Piano-Songs-#1 500x233\" width=\"430\" height=\"250\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13405\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/font><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ < ![CDATA[\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-7657664941265518\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"9404367609\";\n    google_ad_width = 300;\n    google_ad_height = 250;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Z-BlogLearnToReadPianoMusic300x250 --><br \/>\n<script src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ < ![CDATA[\n\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<strong><font size=\"4\" font color=\"red\">Access Free Piano Tutorials and Sheet Music:<\/font><\/strong><\/p>\n<table width=\"440\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td with=\"140\" align=\"center\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/up-on-the-housetop\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/up-on-the-housetop.jpg\" alt=\"Up On The Housetop Sheet Music\" width=\"135\" height=\"140\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4337\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td with=\"150\" align=\"center\">\n      <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/twinkle-twinkle-little-star\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/How-to-Play-Twinkle-Twinkle-Little-Star.2.jpg\" alt=\"How to Play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.2\" width=\"135\" height=\"150\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8898\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td with=\"150\" align=\"center\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/resources\/musictools\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/free-music-tools.jpg\" alt=\"free-music-tools\" width=\"135\" height=\"135\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6944\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td with=\"140\" align=\"center\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/rockabye-baby-2\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4316\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/rock-a-bye-baby-sheet-music.jpg\" alt=\"Rockabye Baby Sheet Music\" width=\"130\" height=\"165\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td with=\"140\" align=\"center\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/where-has-my-little-dog-gone\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7701\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/where-has-my-little-dog-gone-4-300-250-2.jpg\" alt=\"where-has-my-little-dog-gone-4-300-250-2\" width=\"140\" height=\"145\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td with=\"150\" align=\"center\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/learn-how-to-play-piano-this-old-man\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4330\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/this-old-man-sheet-music.jpg\" alt=\"This Old Man Sheet Music\" width=\"150\" height=\"165\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"4\"><\/p>\n<table width=\"440\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\">\n      ____________________________<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\">\n      <font color=\"burgundy\"><strong>Click below to access:<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/font><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"4\"><\/p>\n<table width=\"440\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/1\/\">Pg. 1<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/2\/\">Pg. 2<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/3\/\">Pg. 3<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/4\/\">Pg. 4<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/5\/\">Pg. 5<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/6\/\">Pg. 6<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/7\/\">Pg. 7<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/8\/\">Pg. 8<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/9\/\">Pg. 9<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/10\/\">Pg. 10<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/11\/\">Pg. 11<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/12\/\">Pg. 12<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/13\/\">Pg. 13<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/14\/\">Pg. 14<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/page\/15\/\">Page 15<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/aura-lee-learn-piano\/\">Aura Lee<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/free-online-piano-lessons-2\/\">Table of Contents<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/five-finger-exercise\/\">5-Finger Exercise<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/tag\/children-songs\/\">Children Music<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"3\" align=\"center\">|<\/td>\n<td width=\"85\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/tag\/easy-songs\/\">Easy Songs<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/font><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><\/p>\n<table width=\"250\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n      <font size=\"12\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/lessons\/preparation\/basicmusicnotation\/?id=5\/#lesson5\">Learn How to Read Music<\/a><\/strong><\/font><br \/>\n      Time Signatures and Note Durations<br \/>\n      Free tutorials at www.zebrakeys.com<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7319\" src=\"http:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/zebrakeys-himgad-2-300-600-1.jpg\" alt=\"zebrakeys-himgad-2-300-600-1\" width=\"300\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/zebrakeys-himgad-2-300-600-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.zebrakeys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/zebrakeys-himgad-2-300-600-1-150x300.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/font><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A time signature and key signature tell you how a particular piece of music is played. A time measure consists of two numbers written as a fraction.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[891,1112],"tags":[737,736,735,460,1045,625,1011,1064,401,593,543],"class_list":["post-2895","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-piano-basic-skills","category-beginner-piano","tag-24-time","tag-34-time","tag-44-time","tag-beginners","tag-how-to-read","tag-measures","tag-music","tag-notations","tag-note-durations","tag-piano-basics","tag-time-signatures"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.9 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A time signature and key signature tell you how a particular piece of music is played. 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