Editing Time signature (section)

== Frequently used time signatures ==

=== Simple versus compound ===
Simple meters are those whose upper number is 2, 3, or 4, sometimes described as '''duple meter''', '''triple meter''', and '''quadruple meter''' respectively. 

In [[Compound meter (music)|compound meter]], the note values specified by the bottom number are grouped into threes, and the upper number is a multiple of 3, such as 6, 9, or 12. The lower number is most commonly an 8 (an eighth-note or quaver): as in {{music|time|9|8}} or {{music|time|12|8}}.

Other upper numbers correspond to '''irregular meters'''.

=== Beat and subdivision ===
{{Main|Beat (music)}}
Musical passages commonly feature a recurring pulse, or '''beat''', usually in the range of 60–140 beats per minute. Depending on the tempo of the music, this beat may correspond to the note value specified by the time signature, or to a grouping of such note values. Most commonly, in simple time signatures, the beat is the same as the note value of the signature, but in compound signatures, the beat is usually a [[dotted note]] value corresponding to three of the signature's note values. Either way, the next lower note value shorter than the beat is called the '''subdivision'''.

On occasion a bar may seem like one singular beat. For example, a fast waltz, notated in {{music|time|3|4}} time, may be described as being ''one in a bar''. Conversely, at slow tempos, the beat might even be a smaller note value than the one enumerated by the time signature. {{example needed|date=April 2024}}

Mathematically the time signatures of, e.g., {{music|time|3|4}} and {{music|time|3|8}} are interchangeable. In a sense ''all'' simple triple time signatures, such as {{music|time|3|8}}, {{music|time|3|4}}, {{music|time|3|2}}, etc.—and all compound duple times, such as {{music|time|6|8}}, {{music|time|6|16}} and so on, are equivalent. A piece in {{music|time|3|4}} can be easily rewritten in {{music|time|3|8}}, simply by halving the length of the notes.

:<score>
    \new Staff <<
       \new voice \relative c' {
           \clef percussion
           \time 3/4
           \tempo 4 = 100       
           \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g4 d' d }
           \time 3/8
           \tempo 8 = 100       
           \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g,8 d' d }
       }
       \new voice \relative c'' {
           \override NoteHead.style = #'cross
           \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { a8[ a] a[ a] a[ a] }
           \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { a16 a a a a a }
       }
   >>
</score>
[[File:3-4 equals 3-8 drum pattern.mid]]

Other time signature rewritings are possible: most commonly a simple time-signature with triplets translates into a compound meter.

:<score>
    \new Staff <<
       \new voice \relative c' {
           \clef percussion
           \time 12/8
           \tempo 4. = 66       
           \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g4. d' g, d' }
           \numericTimeSignature
           \time 4/4
           \tempo 4 = 66       
           \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g,4 d' g, d' }
       }
       \new voice \relative c'' {
           \override NoteHead.style = #'cross
           \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { a8 a a a a a  a a a a a a }
           \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { \tuplet 3/2 { a8 a a } \tuplet 3/2 { a8 a a } \tuplet 3/2 { a8 a a } \tuplet 3/2 { a8 a a } }
       }
   >>
</score>

[[File:12-8 equals 4-4 drum pattern.mid]]
{{Clear}}
The choice of time signature in these cases is largely a matter of tradition. Particular time signatures are traditionally associated with different music styles—it would seem strange to notate a conventional [[Rock music|rock]] song in {{music|time|4|8}} or {{music|time|4|2}}, rather than {{music|time|4|4}}.

=== Examples ===
In the examples below, '''bold''' denotes the primary stress of the measure, and ''italics'' denote a secondary stress. Syllables such as "and" are frequently used for pulsing in between numbers.

''Simple'': {{music|time|3|4}} is a simple [[triple meter]] time signature that represents three quarter notes (crotchets), usually perceived as three beats. In this case the subdivision would be the eighth note (quaver). It is felt as
::<big>{{music|time|3|4}}</big>: '''one''' and ''two'' and ''three'' and ...

''Compound'': Most often, <big>{{music|time|6|8}}</big> is felt as two beats, each being a dotted quarter note (crotchet), and each containing subdivisions of three eighth notes (quavers). It is felt as
::<big>{{music|time|6|8}}</big>: '''one''' two three ''four'' five six ...
The table below shows the characteristics of the most frequently used time signatures.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="4" style="background: Silver" | Simple time signatures
|-
! Time signature
! Common uses
! Simple drum pattern
!Video representation
|-
| align="center" | <big>{{music|time|4|4}}</big> or {{music|common-time}}
(quadruple)
|| ''Common time'': Widely used in [[classical music]] and most forms of [[popular music]]. Most common time signature in [[Rock music|rock]], [[blues]], [[country music|country]], [[funk]], and [[Pop music|pop]].<ref>Scott Schroedl, ''Play Drums Today! A Complete Guide to the Basics: Level One '' (Milwaukee: Hal Leonard Corporation, 2001), p. 42. {{ISBN|0-634-02185-0}}.</ref>
||<score>
    \new Staff <<
       \new voice \relative c' {
           \clef percussion
           \numericTimeSignature
           \time 4/4
           \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 100
           \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g4 d' g, d' }
       }
       \new voice \relative c'' {
           \override NoteHead.style = #'cross
           \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { a8 a a a  a a a a }
       }
   >></score>[[File:Characteristic rock drum pattern.mid]]
|[[File:Video_for_4o4_at_60_bpm.ogv|frameless|140x105px]]
|-
| align="center" | <big>{{music|time|2|2}}</big> or {{music|cut-time}}
(duple)
|| ''[[Alla breve]]'', ''cut time'': Used for [[march (music)|march]]es and fast orchestral music.
||<score>
    \new Staff <<
       \new voice \relative c' {
           \clef percussion
           \numericTimeSignature
           \time 2/2
           \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 2 = 100
           \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g2 d' }
       }
       \new voice \relative c'' {
           \override NoteHead.style = #'cross
           \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { a4 a a a }
       }
   >></score>[[File:Half time rock pattern.mid]]
|
|-
| align="center" |<big>{{music|time|2|4}}</big>
(duple)
|| Used for [[polka]]s, [[galop]]s, [[March (music)|marches]], and many styles of [[Latin music]] (including [[bolero]], [[cumbia]], and [[Merengue music|merengue]]).
||<score>
    \new Staff <<
       \new voice \relative c' {
           \clef percussion
           \numericTimeSignature
           \time 2/4
           \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 100
           \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g4 d' }
       }
       \new voice \relative c'' {
           \override NoteHead.style = #'cross
           \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { a8 a a a }
       }
   >></score>[[File:Simple duple drum pattern.mid]]
|[[File:Video for 2o4 at 60 bpm.ogv|frameless|140x105px]]
|-
| align="center" | <big>{{music|time|3|4}}</big>
(triple)
|| {{anchor|Waltz}}<!-- [[Waltz time]] redirects here --> Used for [[waltz (music)|waltz]]es, [[minuet]]s, [[scherzo|scherzi]], [[polonaise (dance)|polonaise]]s, [[mazurka]]s, country & western ballads, R&B, and some pop
||<score>
    \new Staff <<
       \new voice \relative c' {
           \clef percussion
           \numericTimeSignature
           \time 3/4
           \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 100
           \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g4 d' d }
       }
       \new voice \relative c'' {
           \override NoteHead.style = #'cross
           \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { a8[ a] a[ a] a[ a] }
       }
   >></score>[[File:Simple triple drum pattern.mid]]
|[[File:Video for 3o4 at 60 bpm.ogv|frameless|140x105px]]
|-
| align="center" | <big>{{music|time|3|8}}</big>
(triple)
|| Also used for the above but usually suggests higher tempo or shorter [[Metre (music)#Hypermetre|hypermeter]]. Sometimes preferred for certain folk dances such as [[cachucha]]
||<score lang="lilypond">
    \new Staff <<
       \new voice \relative c' {
           \clef percussion
           \numericTimeSignature
           \time 3/8
           \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4. = 80
           \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g8 d' d }
       }
       \new voice \relative c'' {
           \override NoteHead.style = #'cross
           \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { a16[ a] a[ a] a[ a] }
       }
   >></score>[[File:Simple triple drum pattern.mid]]
|
|-
! colspan="4" style="background: Silver" | Compound time signatures
|-
! Time signature
! Common uses
! Simple drum pattern
! Video representation
|-
| align="center" | <big>{{music|time|6|8}}</big>
(duple)
|| Double [[jig]]s, [[Jota (music)|jotas]], [[zortziko]]s, polkas,<!--Polka is also claimed under 2/4 time. RESPONSE: polkas can use either 2/4 or 6/8, depending on the subdivision of the beats (since both are duple time signatures)--> [[sega music|sega]], [[salegy]], [[tarantella]], [[March (music)|marches]], [[barcarolle]]s, [[loure]]s, and some rock music. [[Anapestic tetrameter]] poetry also fits into {{music|time|6|8}} time when said aloud.
||<score>    \new Staff <<
       \new voice \relative c' {
           \clef percussion
           \numericTimeSignature
           \time 6/8
           \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4. = 80
           \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g4. d' }
       }
       \new voice \relative c'' {
           \override NoteHead.style = #'cross
           \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { a8 a a  a a a }
       }
   >></score>[[File:Compound duple drum pattern.mid]]
|[[File:Video of 6o8 at 90 bpm.ogv|frameless|140x105px]]
|-
| align="center" | <big>{{music|time|9|8}}</big>
(triple)
|| ''Compound triple time'': Used in [[slip jig]]s; otherwise occurring rarely ("[[The Ride of the Valkyries]]", [[Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky|Tchaikovsky]]'s [[Symphony No. 4 (Tchaikovsky)|Fourth Symphony]], and the final movement of [[Johann Sebastian Bach|J.S. Bach]]'s [[Violin Concerto in A minor (Bach)|Violin Concerto in A minor (BWV 1041)]] are familiar examples. [[Claude Debussy|Debussy]]'s "[[Clair de lune (Debussy)|Clair de lune]]" and the opening bars of ''[[Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune]]'' are also in <big>{{music|time|9|8}})</big>
||<score>    \new Staff <<
       \new voice \relative c' {
           \clef percussion
           \numericTimeSignature
           \time 9/8
           \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4. = 80
           \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g4. d' d }
       }
       \new voice \relative c'' {
           \override NoteHead.style = #'cross
           \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { a8 a a  a a a  a a a }
       }
   >></score>[[File:Compound triple drum pattern.mid]]
|[[File:Video for 9o8 at 90 bpm.ogv|frameless|140x105px]]
|-
| align="center" | <big>{{music|time|12|8}}</big>
(quadruple)
|| Also common in slower [[blues]] (where it is called a ''[[shuffle note|shuffle]]'') and [[doo-wop]]; also used more recently in rock music. Can also be heard in some jigs like "[[The Irish Washerwoman]]". This is also the time signature of ''Scene by the Brook'', the second movement of [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven]]'s ''[[Symphony No. 6 (Beethoven)|Pastoral Symphony]]''.
||<score>    \new Staff <<
       \new voice \relative c' {
           \clef percussion
           \numericTimeSignature
           \time 12/8
           \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4. = 80
           \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g4. d' g, d' }
       }
       \new voice \relative c'' {
           \override NoteHead.style = #'cross
           \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { a8 a a  a a a  a a a  a a a }
       }
   >></score>[[File:Compound quadruple drum pattern.mid]]
|[[File:Video for 12o8 at 90 bpm.ogv|frameless|140x105px]]
|}

=== Tempo giusto ===
{{main|Tempo giusto}}
While changing the bottom number and keeping the top number fixed only formally changes notation, without changing meaning – {{music|time|3|8}}, {{music|time|3|4}}, {{music|time|3|2}}, and {{music|time|3|1}} are all three beats to a meter, just noted with eighth notes, quarter notes, half notes, or whole notes – these conventionally imply different performance and different tempi. Conventionally, larger numbers in the bottom correspond to faster tempi and smaller numbers correspond to slower tempi. This convention is known as ''[[tempo giusto]]'', and means that the tempo of each note remains in a narrower, "normal" range. For illustration, a quarter note might correspond to 60–120 bpm (quintuplet 75-150, triplet 90-180 and septuplet 105-210), a half note to 30–60 bpm (triplet 45-90), a whole note to 15–30 bpm, and an eighth note to 120–240 bpm; these are not strict, but show an example of "normal" ranges.

This convention dates to the [[Baroque music|Baroque]] era, when tempo changes were indicated by changing time signature during the piece, rather than by using a single time signature and changing tempo marking.<ref>{{cite book |last=Dokter |first=Julia |title=Tempo and Tactus in the German Baroque |publisher=University of Rochester Press |year=2021 |isbn=9781648250187 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=9EE3EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA144 144]}}</ref>