Time Signatures and beats

Determining the time signature is determining the pulse of the song. The pulse consists of beats in a (repeating) series of identical yet distinct periodic short-duration stimuli perceived as points in time occurring at the mensural level.

A beat is the basic pulse in music, like what you might tap your foot to. Beats are grouped into measures, with the same number of beats in each measure. Meter & Rhythm. Notice that in the sound example below you can feel the beat or “pulse” of the music.

Counting

4/4 - One, two, three, four

6/4 - One, two, three, four, five, six

3/4 - One, two, three.