Answer:
There are two basic types of time signatures, Simple Time and Compound time.
Simple Time is 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4. The top number indicates how many beats to a measure and the
bottom number, 4, indicates that a quarter note gets one beat. A quarter note is the "unit of
measurement."
Compound Time is 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8. The bottom number, 8, indicates that an eighth note gets one
beat. 6/8 (for example) may be thought of as getting six counts, but two beats. The pulse is in two,
with two subdivisions: 1-2-3, 4-5-6 (each beat is an eighth note) and thus is conducted in two.
Likewise, 9/8 is three pulses per measure and 12/8 is four pulses per measure. In compound time the
eighth note is the "unit of measurement."
The first beat of every measure is the "downbeat." Note that with professional players it is usually safe for the
conductor to give the beat prior to the starting beat of the piece (as long as that beat is also in the desired tempo). With students and semi-professional groups it is probably a good idea to give a "free measure," again, as long as
that measure is in exactly the tempo the conductor wishes the work to begin. If there is a pick up note at the
beginning, it is usually a good idea to give a whole measure. For example, if the work begins on beat four in a 4/4
pattern, conduct 1-2 and 3, and then bring the group in on 4.
What students must develop internally is the tactus, or "the moment of the beat." That is the exact instant when the
beats occur. I would maintain that learning the conducting patterns—even for students who have no intention to
conduct or play in orchestra—is useful in terms of developing rhythmic accuracy
