How to count 4/4
Four quarter notes per bar: "1-2-3-4". The main accent is on 1, with a secondary one on 3. In scores it is often shown as a "C" (common time).
Where you hear it
Pop, rock, jazz, funk, hip-hop, hymns and a large part of the classical repertoire.
Practice tips
- Backbeat on 2 and 4: for pop, rock or jazz, move the accents to 2 and 4, like a snare drum.
- Subdivision: eighth or sixteenth clicks make fast passages easier to lock in.
- Muted bars: let the metronome play one bar and stay silent the next to check that you keep time on your own.
Frequently asked questions
What is common time?
Another name for 4/4; scores show it with a "C" instead of numbers.
What is the difference between 4/4 and 2/2?
The bar lasts the same, but 2/2 (cut time) is counted in two half-note beats, which feels lighter and faster.