Locate the time signature at the beginning of the sheet music. The time signature consists of two numbers separated by a line. The top number indicates the note value and the bottom number indicates the number of beats per measure. The two numbers together tell the musician what meter the song is played in. A 4/4 time signature means there are four beats per measure and that a quarter notes counts as one beat. The 6/8 time signature means there are six beats per measure and an eighth notes counts as one beat.
Determine if the meter is even or odd. If the top number if divisible by two, the meter is even. If the top number is divisible by three, the meter is odd. 2/4 and 4/4 are examples of even meter. They are counted 1-2 and 1-2-3-4. Three-four time is an example of odd meter. It is counted 1-2-3, with the emphasis on 1. Other commonly used meters are 6/8, 9/8, 12/8, and 5/4. 6/8 and 12/8 can be interpreted as either even or odd meters. A slow 12-bar blues in 4/4 time can also be written as 12/8 time.
Practice playing or clapping different written notes with a metronome. The primary note values, in 4/4 time, are whole notes (last for four beats), half notes (last for two beats), quarter notes (one note per beat), eighth notes (two notes per beat), triplets (three notes per bear) and 16th notes (four notes per beat). Practicing and clapping the different note values makes it easy to read and play a song accurately with the appropriate meter.
Tap your foot or clap to the beat. At this point simply clap in time with the music.
Focus on the strong beats. Most popular music is either in 4/4 or 3/4 time. The strong beats in 4/4 time fall on the 1, 2, 3 and 4. However, emphasis is often placed on the 2 and the 4 to give the music a strong drive. In rock, country and pop music, the bass drum commonly plays on the 1 and 3 and the snare drum plays on the 2 and 4. When people clap in time with a piece of music they clap on the 2 and 4 like the snare drum. In 3/4 time the emphasis is on the 1. Clap on all three beats, making the first beat stronger, or restrict the clap to first beat.
Listen for nuances in the music. Although many songs are in 4/4 or 3/4 time, there are other options as well. Dave Brubeck's composition "Take Five" is a famous example of 5/4 time. Five-four time is obviously an odd meter time signature. Musicians count it in a couple of ways. One way is to count 1-2-3-4-5. An alternative method is to count 1-2-3/1-2 with the emphasis on 1 in the first section and on the 1 and 2 in the second section. Reggae is an example of a musical form that emphasizes the offbeat or the nonstrong beat discussed above. The strong beat falls on the 1,2,3 or 4. Each beat can be subdivided into 1-and, 2-and, and so forth. Reggae puts the emphasis on the "and" or the second part of the beat.