1. Look at the top of the staff.
* The time signature is usually written in the top right-hand corner of the staff.
* It is a fraction with two numbers.
* The top number tells you how many beats there are per measure.
* The bottom number tells you what kind of note gets the beat.
2. Count the beats in a measure.
* If there are four beats in a measure, the time signature is 4/4.
* If there are three beats in a measure, the time signature is 3/4.
* If there are two beats in a measure, the time signature is 2/4.
3. Look for the bar lines.
* The bar lines are the vertical lines that divide the staff into measures.
* The time signature tells you how many bar lines there should be in a measure.
* In 4/4 time, there will be four bar lines in a measure.
* In 3/4 time, there will be three bar lines in a measure.
* In 2/4 time, there will be two bar lines in a measure.
4. Ask your music teacher.
* Your music teacher will be able to tell you what time signature a piece of music is written in if you still need help.