To know

In music, a measure (bar) is a container, which is divided into several beats. There are bars containing 2 beats (1-2), 3 beats (1-2-3), 4 beats (1-2-3-4), and more.

Goals

In these exercises, you'll learn how to identify the number of beats in a bar (measure) of music.

Tips for success

Listen to the rhythmic pattern, then clap, tap or sing the same pattern. It will be easier to analyze it and count the number of beats to a bar (measure).

Musical examples

Suite for Jazz Orchestra No.2 - Riccardo Chailly & the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Classical music Dmitri Shostakovich
This excerpt is a waltz in triple time (3 beats to the bar). Listen carefully to the rhythm and count the beats: 1-2-3 | 1-2-3 | 1-2-3

Daddy Cool - Boney M.
Disco Frank Farian, George Reyam
This excerpt of a disco hit is in simple quadruple time (4 beats to the bar). Listen carefully to the rhythm and count the beats: 1-2-3-4 | 1-2-3-4 | 1-2-3-4...

Take Five - Dave Brubeck Quartet
Jazz Paul Desmond
This jazz theme is in an irregular time signature with 5 beats to the bar. Listen carefully to the rhythm and count the beats: 1-2-3-4-5 | 1-2-3-4-5 | 1-2-3-4-5...

Take Five (solo drums) - Dave Brubeck Quartet
Jazz Paul Desmond
Here is the same excerpt, with only the drums. Try to count the beats: 1-2-3-4-5 | 1-2-3-4-5 | 1-2-3-4-5...

EXERCISE INFORMATION