Fun ways to…teach time signatures

Sometimes younger students need a few moments away from the keyboard in a lesson. This off-the-bench activity is a go-to for me when kids are getting a little “squirmy”! It reinforces an understanding of note lengths and 4/4 and 3/4 time signatures, as well as providing the student with an opportunity to create their own rhythm. (It’s also a good way to get them back to the keyboard - ask them to play the rhythm they’ve created on any notes they choose!).

Make sure you have to hand some “bar” sheets in both 3/4 time and 4/4 time, the time signature cards and the note cards. You can download all of these off the Freebies section of the store.

In the lesson, set out a few empty bars on the floor. (You can choose whether to use the 3/4 bars or the 4/4 bars). The student then has to fill all the bars with the notes and rests as they choose. You’ll see that the note and rest cards are of varying lengths depending upon how much they fill the bar, which makes the rhythm very visual for the student. Once the bars are all filled, ask the student to add the correct time signature at the front of the rhythm. They can then have a go either clapping the rhythm or playing it on their instrument!

Check out our worksheets for more time signatures practice!