Time signature

The time signature is at the beginning of a piece of music after the clef and any sign and gives the time signature of the piece on. Unlike the sign is the Time Signature - as long as the time signature does not change - only the first score and will not be repeated.

It is usual spelling as a mathematical fraction with numerator and denominator, but without the fraction bar. The denominator determines which note value corresponding to a beat. The counter indicates the number of beats per measure. The earlier the mensural notations for the 4/4-time and for the 2/2-Takt ( alla breve ) are still common.