Time signature — What Is It?
A time signature defines the grouping of beats and the note value used as the basic unit.
Rhythm
Time signature
A symbol showing how beats are organized in each measure.
A time signature defines the grouping of beats and the note value used as the basic unit.
What Do We See in Notation?
Shown as two stacked numbers near the beginning of the staff.
How Is It Applied?
Think of the lower number as the beat unit and the upper number as the grouping count.
The Symbol in Notation
What Do We See in Notation?
Shown as two stacked numbers near the beginning of the staff.
Related Terms
♪BeatThe basic unit of regular musical pulse.›♪DownbeatThe first beat of a measure.›♪Eighth noteA note value half as long as a quarter note.›♪Half noteA note value lasting two quarter notes.›♪Quarter noteA common note value often used as the beat unit.›♪RestA symbol representing a measured silence.›
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