In time what note gets the beat

The note that gets the beat in music is determined by the time signature. The most common time signature is 4/4, also known as common time, in which a quarter note receives one beat. However, there are many other time signatures where different note values can receive the beat, such as 2/4 (where a half note receives one beat), 3/4 (where a dotted quarter note receives one beat), 6/8 (where an eighth note receives one beat), and so on. The choice of time signature or the specified tempo will determine the note value that gets the beat in a particular piece of music.

In music notation, the note that typically receives the beat is indicated by the time signature. The time signature consists of two numbers stacked vertically, for example, 4/4 or 3/4.

In a 4/4 time signature, also known as "common time," the top number indicates that there are four beats in a measure, and the bottom number represents the type of note receiving the beat. In this case, the bottom number is 4, which represents a quarter note. Therefore, in 4/4 time, the quarter note gets the beat.

Similarly, in a 3/4 time signature, the top number indicates three beats per measure, and the bottom number represents a quarter note. Consequently, in 3/4 time, the quarter note gets the beat.

Different time signatures can have different notes receiving the beat. For instance, in 6/8 time, the eighth note generally receives the beat. It's essential to read the time signature to determine which note gets the beat in a particular piece of music.