Time signature is a set of fractions found at the beginning of a piece, or at areas of switching between of time signatures. It is usually used to indicate the pattern and rhythm of the music composition. Time signature determines the amount and length of notes used to measure the time, and how many beats are in each measure.
Examples[]
X/4[]
- 4/4 time signature refers to a beat equal to 4 quarter notes in a single measure.
- 3/4 time (aka 1/2) simply means that the beat equals to three quarter notes in a measure.
- 2/4 time signature refers to a beat equal to 2 quarter notes in a single measure.
- 5/4 time signature means that the beat has 5 quarter notes in a measure.
X/8[]
- 12/8 time signature refers to a beat equal to 12 eighth notes in a single measure.
- 6/8 time signature refers to a beat equal to 6 eighth notes in a single measure.