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It means that a quarter note represents 1 beat in that measure.

That would only be in 4/4 though. In the time signature the bottom number tells you what gets ONE beat. For example in 6/8 the eight note gets one beat. So reallly in 6/8 the eight note is equivalent to a quarter note in 4/4.

Simply put the bottom number shows you what gets one beat in that selection.

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12y ago
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13y ago

The bottom number of a time signature refers to a note, which describes how long a beat is.

in 4/4 time, the bottom number signifies that each beat is equal to one quarter note.

in 3/2 time, the bottom number indicates that each beat is equal to one half note.

6/8 time, each beat is one eighth note.

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13y ago

Someone said: 4 beats

This isn't correct - I think you've confused the "bottom" with the "top".

The *bottom* number of a time signature indicates the *unit* of the beat --- or, "what kind of note gets one count". A four on the bottom indicates that quarter notes (think 1/*4*) get one count. For example, in 3/4 time, there are 3 quarter notes or their equivalent in each measure.

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7y ago

If it's the top number, it means 4 beats per measure. If it's the bottom number, it means the quarter-note gets the beat.

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Q: Why does the number four at the bottom of a time signature mean?
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What does the bottom number mean in a signature?

The bottom number in a time signature is the denominator of the fraction denoting the note value that gets the beat. So if the bottom number in the time signature is a four, imagine it's the bottom of a fraction with a numerator of 1. 1/4 is a quarter, so the quarter note gets the beat.


What does the bottom number in a time signature mean?

The bottom number in a time signature is the denominator of the fraction denoting the note value that gets the beat. So if the bottom number in the time signature is a four, imagine it's the bottom of a fraction with a numerator of 1. 1/4 is a quarter, so the quarter note gets the beat.


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