Time Signature

Rhythm & Timing

A time signature appears at the beginning of a piece of music as two numbers stacked vertically (like a fraction). The top number tells you how many beats are in each measure. The bottom number tells you what type of note gets one beat.

4/4 time (also called "common time") is by far the most frequent — 4 beats per measure, quarter note gets one beat. 3/4 time (waltz time) has 3 beats per measure. 6/8 time has 6 beats per measure with an eighth note getting one beat, creating a lilting, swaying feel.

For ukulele strumming, the time signature determines your strum pattern structure. In 4/4, you have 4 beats to fill with down and up strums. In 3/4, you have 3 beats — the classic "down, down-up, down-up" waltz strum.