Interactive theory · Lesson 5
Note Duration and Time Signatures
Pitch determines "which note to play," while duration determines "how long to hold it." Listen to the differences first, then look at time signatures.
Did you know · Notes are like "high-speed train seats": in 4/4 time, a whole note occupies the large seat for 4 beats, while an eighth note sits for only half a beat—duration is simply "how long each note holds its seat."
A beat is music's "second." Common durations (using 4/4 time as an example): whole note = 4 beats, half note = 2 beats, quarter note = 1 beat, eighth note = half a beat. Click on the notes below—the sound of each note plays along with the metronome's "tick," allowing you to directly hear how many beats it holds.
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How long is a beat? It depends on BPM: BPM stands for Beats Per Minute, meaning the number of beats per minute. One beat (in seconds) = 60 ÷ BPM. At 60 BPM, one beat is exactly 1 second; at 120 BPM, one beat is only half a second—the higher the BPM, the faster the tempo. The same quarter note would last only half a second if played at 120 BPM. Listen to four different tempos:
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Time Signature (e.g., 4/4): The top number indicates how many beats are in each measure, and the bottom number indicates which note value gets one beat. 4/4 has the most common march-like feel (BOOM ta-ta-ta), while 3/4 has a waltz-like feel (BOOM-chi-chi). Listen to the comparison: