Part 3/7:
Tempo refers to the speed of music, measured in beats per minute (BPM). A common reference point for understanding tempo is comparing it to the ticking of a clock— a steady, consistent pace that sets the foundation of a song. Music often organizes itself into measures or bars, which group beats into cycles of strong and weak emphasis.
For instance, 4/4 time is one of the most prevalent meters in music, featuring four beats per measure with a pronounced strong first beat followed by three weaker ones. This time signature is so common that it is often referred to as "common time" and is indicated by a "C" on the staff.