Measures & Time Signature
Choose the best answer. This quiz is about Measures and Time Signatures.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
What is the name of the black lines that divide the staff into measures?
- A.
Bar lines
- B.
Staff lines
- C.
Measure lines
- D.
Music lines
- E.
Note lines
Correct Answer
A. Bar linesExplanation
Bar lines are the correct answer because they are the black lines that divide the staff into measures. Measures are the sections in a musical composition that contain a specific number of beats, and bar lines are used to separate these measures. They help musicians keep track of the rhythm and structure of the music, indicating where each measure begins and ends. Staff lines, measure lines, music lines, and note lines are not commonly used terms in music notation, making them incorrect choices.Rate this question:
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- 2.
How many measures does this staff have?
- A.
3
- B.
4
- C.
5
- D.
6
- E.
7
Correct Answer
D. 6Explanation
This staff has 6 measures because the answer option 6 is selected.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What are these numbers called?
- A.
Beats
- B.
Time line
- C.
Staff
- D.
Measure
- E.
Time signature
Correct Answer
E. Time signatureExplanation
A time signature is a musical notation that indicates the number of beats in each measure and the type of note that receives one beat. It is represented by two numbers, one on top of the other, placed at the beginning of a musical piece. The top number signifies the number of beats per measure, while the bottom number represents the type of note that receives one beat. The time signature is crucial for musicians to maintain the correct rhythm and timing while playing or performing a piece of music.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What is the purpose of a time signature?
- A.
To indicate the speed at which music must be played
- B.
To show who wrote a piece of music
- C.
To define the amount and type of notes in each measure
- D.
To determine how long each note must be played
- E.
To show how loudly each note must be played
Correct Answer
C. To define the amount and type of notes in each measureExplanation
The purpose of a time signature is to define the amount and type of notes in each measure. It is a notation placed at the beginning of a musical piece that consists of two numbers stacked vertically. The top number represents the number of beats in each measure, while the bottom number represents the type of note that receives one beat. This information helps musicians understand the rhythmic structure of the music and how the notes should be grouped within each measure.Rate this question:
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- 5.
How many quarter notes does this measure contain?
- A.
1
- B.
2
- C.
3
- D.
4
- E.
7
Correct Answer
C. 3Explanation
The measure contains 3 quarter notes. In music notation, a quarter note is represented by a solid notehead with a straight stem. Therefore, by counting the number of solid noteheads with straight stems in the measure, we can determine that there are 3 quarter notes.Rate this question:
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- 6.
What does the 4 mean in this picture?
- A.
The measure contains whole notes
- B.
The measure contains half notes
- C.
The measure contains quarter notes
- D.
The measure contains eighths notes
- E.
The measure contains sixteenths notes
Correct Answer
C. The measure contains quarter notesExplanation
The 4 in the picture refers to the time signature of the measure. In music notation, the time signature indicates the number of beats in each measure and the type of note that receives one beat. In this case, the number 4 indicates that there are four beats in the measure, and the quarter note receives one beat. Therefore, the measure contains quarter notes.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What does this time signature mean?
- A.
Each measure contains 6 quarter notes
- B.
Each measure contains 8 half notes
- C.
Each measure contains 6 whole notes
- D.
Each measure contains 6 eighths notes
- E.
Each measure contains 8 sixths notes
Correct Answer
D. Each measure contains 6 eighths notesExplanation
This time signature indicates that each measure contains 6 eighth notes. In music notation, an eighth note is a note that is half the duration of a quarter note. Therefore, if each measure contains 6 eighth notes, it means that the total duration of the notes in each measure is equivalent to the duration of 6 eighth notes.Rate this question:
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- 8.
How many half notes does a measure in 3/2 time contain?
- A.
0
- B.
1
- C.
2
- D.
3
- E.
4
Correct Answer
D. 3Explanation
In 3/2 time, there are three half notes in a measure. This is because the top number in the time signature (3) represents the number of beats in a measure, and the bottom number (2) represents the note value that receives one beat. In this case, a half note receives one beat, so there are three half notes in a measure.Rate this question:
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- 9.
How many whole notes does a measure in 4/4 time contain?
- A.
0
- B.
1
- C.
2
- D.
3
- E.
4
Correct Answer
B. 1Explanation
In 4/4 time, also known as common time, there are four beats in a measure. Each beat can be divided into two halves, known as quarter notes. Therefore, a measure in 4/4 time contains four quarter notes. A whole note, on the other hand, is equal to four quarter notes. Since a measure in 4/4 time only contains four quarter notes, it can be said that it contains one whole note.Rate this question:
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- 10.
How many quarter notes does a measure in 6/8 time contain?
- A.
0
- B.
1
- C.
2
- D.
3
- E.
4
Correct Answer
D. 3Explanation
In 6/8 time, there are three beats per measure and each beat is divided into two eighth notes. Therefore, a measure in 6/8 time contains three groups of two eighth notes, making a total of six eighth notes. Since two eighth notes make up one quarter note, there are three quarter notes in a measure in 6/8 time.Rate this question:
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