3/4 time

Three beats, measure

3/4 time is a musical time signature with three beats per measure, the quarter note receiving one beat.

It creates the characteristic one-two-three pulse of waltzes and minuets: The band struck up a waltz in 3/4 time.

Also called waltz time or triple meter.

Related

waltzDance in three-quarter time
tripleGroup of three
meterDevice that measures usage
downbeatNegatively toned or dispirited
minuetFormal 18th-century dance

swing · rhythm · dance · dance floor · measure · beat · tempo · ballroom · ballroom dancing · box step · graceful · sway · dance partner · lilting · one-two-three · musical · Viennese · Vienna waltz

Categories

rhythmbeat, pulse, tempo, downbeat, upbeat
Triple Meterwaltz, minuet, mazurka, triple meter, sarabande
waltz termsViennese waltz, slow waltz, country waltz
time signatures4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 6/8, 5/4
dance rhythmswaltz, tango, foxtrot, salsa, rumba

Opposites

metric subdivision

3/4 time4/4 time

Four quarter-note beats per measure

common time · 4/4 · 2/4 time · duple meter · 2/4

rhythmic character/feel

3/4 timefour-on-the-floor

Kick on every downbeat

Family

time, times, timed, timer, timely, untimely, overtime

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G