time signature

A time signature appears at the beginning of a piece as two stacked numbers. The top number tells how many beats are in each measure; the bottom number tells which note value receives one beat. In 4/4 time, there are four quarter-note beats per measure. In 6/8 time, there are six eighth-note beats, typically felt as two groups of three. Common time (4/4) is the most prevalent time signature in Western music. Triple meters (3/4) give music a waltz or minuet feel. Compound meters (6/8, 9/8, 12/8) group beats in threes within the measure. Irregular meters like 5/4 and 7/8, used by composers from Tchaikovsky to Radiohead, create asymmetric rhythmic patterns that can feel restless and unpredictable.