Time signature

{ \key c \major \time 3/4 \relative c' { f a c } }
An example of a 3
4 time signature. The time signature indicates that there are three quarter notes (crotchets) per measure (bar).
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A time signature (also known as meter signature, metre signature, and measure signature) is an indication in music notation that specifies how many note values of a particular type fit into each measure (bar). The time signature indicates the meter of a musical movement at the bar level.

In a music score the time signature appears as two stacked numerals, such as 4
4 (spoken as four–four time), or a time symbol, such as common time or cut time (spoken as common time or cut time, respectively). It immediately follows the key signature (or if there is no key signature, the clef symbol). A mid-score time signature, usually immediately following a barline, indicates a change of meter.

Most time signatures are either simple (the note values are grouped in pairs, like 2
4, 3
4, and 4
4), or compound (grouped in threes, like 6
8, 9
8, and 12
8). Less common signatures indicate complex, mixed, additive, and irrational meters.

{ \override Score.SpacingSpanner.strict-note-spacing = ##t \set Score.proportionalNotationDuration = #(ly:make-moment 1/1) \key c \major \relative c' { \numericTimeSignature \time 4/4 s1 \defaultTimeSignature \time 4/4 s1 \numericTimeSignature \time 2/2 s1 \defaultTimeSignature \time 2/2 s1 \time 2/4 s2 \time 3/4 s2. \time 6/8 s2. } }
Basic time signatures: 4
4, also known as common time (common time); 2
2, alla breve, also known as cut time or cut-common time (cut time); 2
4; 3
4; and 6
8
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