Adding up a bar

Which time signature fits?

1. Add up the beats: a dotted minim is 3, two quavers make 1.
2. That is 4 beats in the bar.
3. Four crotchet beats: .

Completing a bar

To complete a bar, find the beats that are missing. How many does the time signature need?  needs 3. How many are there already? Here there are 2. The difference is the note you need: a crotchet.

Where the barline goes

Count the beats from the start of the music. When you reach the top number, the bar is full. The barline goes straight after that note. Then start counting again from 1.

Remember

• Add up the beats to find the time signature.
• Beats needed take away beats there: the note that completes the bar.
• When the count reaches the top number, a barline.