To determine which time signature has three quarter note beats per measure, we need to understand the structure of time signatures in music.
Time signatures are written as two numbers, one above the other. The top number indicates how many beats are in each measure, while the bottom number indicates the note value that represents one beat. In this case:
- The top number is the number of beats per measure.
- The bottom number represents the type of note that gets one beat (with 4 representing a quarter note, 2 representing a half note, 8 representing an eighth note, etc.).
We want three quarter note beats per measure. Therefore:
- The top number should be 3, indicating 3 beats per measure.
- The bottom number should be 4, indicating that each beat is a quarter note.
Given these conditions, we look at the options:
A. 4 - This does not indicate a time signature with three quarter note beats.
B. 2 - This does not indicate a time signature with three quarter note beats.
C. 8 - This does not indicate a time signature with three quarter note beats.
D. 3 - This indicates a time signature of 3/4, which is exactly what we need: three quarter note beats per measure.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
D. 3
