What Is a Measure?
In music, beats are organized into groups called MEASURES (also called bars). Think of measures as containers that hold a certain number of beats.
Imagine a train with cars. Each car holds exactly the same number of passengers. In music, each measure holds exactly the same number of beats. The dividing lines between measures are called BAR LINES, thin vertical lines on the music staff.
Most music for kids uses a time signature of 4/4, which means there are FOUR beats in every measure. Count along: ONE two three four, ONE two three four. Each group of four beats is one measure.
The first beat of each measure is the STRONGEST beat. It gets a little extra emphasis: ONE two three four, ONE two three four. This strong beat helps you feel where each measure begins.