Completing a bar in the new times

Worked example: a bar of 3/2

1. A bar of  holds three minims: 6 crotchet beats.
2. The semibreve takes 4.
3. 2 are missing, so the note that completes a bar is a minim.

What a full bar holds

Count everything in crotchets, whatever the beat.  holds 6,  holds 8 and  holds 4.  holds 1 and a half. A barline goes straight after the note that fills the bar.

Remember

• Count in crotchets: 3/2 holds 6, 4/2 8, 2/2 4, 3/8 1 and a half.
• Beats needed take away beats there: the note that completes the bar.