Learn to Play Recorder

Lesson 7: Time Signatures and Simple Songs

  • Count four beats per bar in 4/4 and three in 3/4.
  • Play one tune in each time with a clear first beat.

Keep counting when a note lasts more than one beat.

The two numbers after the clef are the time signature. In 4/4 or 3/4, the bottom 4 means count quarter-note beats; the top number tells how many fit each bar.

4/4 — common time

Count ONE-two-three-four.

Clap four beats per bar first, making beat one a little stronger; then play.

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3/4 — waltz time

Count ONE-two-three; a dot after a half note makes it last three beats.

Lean very slightly on each ONE.

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Play: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Amazing Grace

Twinkle marches in 4/4; Amazing Grace sways in 3/4. The Walker 1847 tenor reading begins with two silent beats.

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Twinkle: Sarrazin (2016), CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

Now play these

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star · 4/4
Keep four beats in every bar.
Amazing Grace · 3/4
Keep three beats, including the opening silence.

When you keep four beats in each Twinkle bar and three in each Amazing Grace bar, move on to Lesson 8.