When you learn classical music there are set ways of using hand signals to beat different times. Up and down is 2/4, a triangle shape is 3/4, 4/4 is a short downward stroke, then a short left and back and then diagonally up to meet the top of your original (hard to describe. A kind of four but without the lower bit.

If you beat these timings and say the timing it is supposed to be in your heard it helps.

Cheers
Sarah