Time Signature
A notational convention indicating how many beats are in each bar and which note value gets one beat
Category
rhythm
Pronunciation
TYM SIG-nah-chur
Origin
English
Length
111 words · 1 min read
About Time Signature
The time signature appears at the start of a piece as two stacked numbers. The upper number shows beats per bar; the lower number shows the note value of one beat (4 = crotchet, 8 = quaver).
More rhythm terms
Compound time
View all rhythmterms →Time signatures in which each beat subdivides naturally into three equal parts.
Rubato (rhythm)A flexible approach to tempo in which some beats are slightly lengthened and others shortened for expressive effect.
TripletA group of three notes played in the time normally occupied by two notes of the same value.
HemiolaA rhythmic device in which two bars of triple time are made to sound like three bars of duple time, or vice versa.
BarA segment of music bounded by bar lines, containing a fixed number of beats
Compare with similar terms
v1 · 09/04/2026Browse all terms →