time signature
2
4.7
- noun
- /taɪm ˈsɪɡnətʃər/
- Specialized
:
firma de compás
- In this piece of music, the time signature is written as 3/4, indicating three beats per measure.
- 2/4 time signature
- 3/4 time signature
- 4/4 time signature
What makes you write in in weird time signatures like that?
- What makes you write in in weird time signatures like that?
Examples
-
Reading familiar rhythm patterns in a different time signature is a new skill.
Academic text (2015) -
Once students have learned the note values, we further examine the time signature.
Academic text (2013) -
Students who moved ahead to other time signatures were later asked to explain their work to the class.
Academic text (2013) -
-It's in a 5/4 time signature.
-
Students were asked to fill in the missing note values based on the 4/4 time signature.
Academic text (2013) -
Within each measure, the number of beats is organized by the time signature.
Academic text (2013) -
According to the more traditional model, the time signature is a reliable indicator of meter.
Academic text (2005) -
First, let's review what we know about reading in duple meter with the time signature 2/4.
Academic text (2015) -
In written Western music, a time signature establishes the limits within which rhythmic patterns are developed.
Academic text (1995) -
The symphonies of Beethoven and Brahms, for instance, provide many challenges to traditional time signature definitions.
Academic text (2005)
Synonyms
A symbol in written music that shows how many beats are in each measure and which note gets one beat
How Complex
Surface Forms
Morphology
The constituents point toward the idea of a notational sign about musical 'time' — 'time' (meter/beat) plus 'signature' (a mark/sign) makes the compound partially interpretable, so learners can guess it is a sign that indicates timing. However, the use of 'signature' to mean a notational mark is somewhat technical and domain-specific, so the exact musical function may not be fully predictable without exposure.
Etymology
Time signature is a small sign at the start of a piece of music; time here means the 'beat' and signature means a mark that shows how to count. So the time signature tells musicians how many 'beats' are in each bar and which note gets one beat, helping everyone play together.