4/2 time signature example

Explanation of 4/2 time signature

In the article time signature, this is explained that:

- the top number indicates the number of time units in a measure (bar ).
- the bottom number determines the unit of time.

We can visually translate like this:



That is to say that there are 4 half notes (minims ) per measure and the unit of time is the half note (a beat corresponds to one half note):



1 half note (minim ) equals 1 beat.
2 quarter notes (crotchets ) equals 1 beat.
4 eighth notes (quavers ) equals 1 beat.
and so on...

Examples found in famous works

Glareanus' Dodecachordon, Josquin des Prés

Here is an example of a 4/2 time signature, with the musical work Glareanus' Dodecachordon from the french composer Josquin des Prés (1450-1521), for two tenor recorders.

4/2 time signature is classified as simple quadruple meter: There are 4 beats per measure and each beat is divided by 2. The value of one beat is .

You will notice the use of the note value called double-whole note (breve ) in the last measure of this musical sample.

Franz Schubert, Impromptu n°3

Franz Schubert's Impromptu n°3 in G flat major has two time signatures , it is actually the same as , there are 4 beats per measure and 1 half note equals 1 beat:

Royalty free sound sample recorded by Chiara Bertoglio (CC BY 3.0 license, source).