Counting Patterns Common examples of simple time signatures are 2 3 4 and 4, 4, 4' In conducting a composition with complete measures the first beat is always the down beat. Conductors give preparatory beat prior to the starting of a musical 2 piece. The counting pattern for time signature is 1, 2; for 3 time signature is 1, 4. 4 2, 3; for 4 time signature is 1, 2, 3, 4. 4​