Meter and Grouping
Time signature
- Looks like
- Stacked numbers
- Asks for
- Shows how a measure is organized. The bottom number shows the note value counted; in compound meters the beat is a dotted note.
Common time
- Looks like
- A large C in place of a time signature
- Asks for
- Conventional shorthand for 4/4 meter.
Cut time
- Looks like
- A large C with a vertical line through it
- Asks for
- Conventional shorthand for 2/2 meter.
Simple duple meter
- Looks like
- Written 2/4
- Asks for
- Organizes each bar into two beats that subdivide by two.
Simple triple meter
- Looks like
- Written 3/4
- Asks for
- Organizes each bar into three beats that subdivide by two.
Simple quadruple meter
- Looks like
- Written 4/4
- Asks for
- Organizes each bar into four beats that subdivide by two.
Compound duple meter
- Looks like
- Written 6/8
- Asks for
- Usually organizes six eighth notes into two dotted-quarter beats.
Compound triple meter
- Looks like
- Written 9/8
- Asks for
- Usually organizes nine eighth notes into three dotted-quarter beats.
Compound quadruple meter
- Looks like
- Written 12/8
- Asks for
- Usually organizes twelve eighth notes into four dotted-quarter beats.
Additive meter
- Looks like
- Written 3+2+2/8
- Asks for
- Specifies an asymmetrical grouping of beats or subdivisions.
Alternating meter
- Looks like
- A bar of 3/4, then 2/4
- Asks for
- Changes meter from measure to measure according to the written sequence.
Free meter
- Looks like
- Written senza misura
- Asks for
- Omits a regular bar-based meter; timing follows other instructions.
Pickup measure
- Looks like
- Anacrusis
- Asks for
- Begins a phrase with notes before the first complete measure.
Triplet
- Looks like
- A 3 over the group
- Asks for
- Fits three notes into the time normally occupied by two of the same value.
- In use
- A group of three eighth-note triplets fills one quarter-note beat.
Duplet
- Looks like
- A 2 over the group
- Asks for
- Fits two notes into a duration normally divided into three equal parts.
Quintuplet
- Looks like
- A 5 over the group
- Asks for
- Indicates a five-part tuplet whose exact ratio follows the notation or context.
Sextuplet
- Looks like
- A 6 over the group
- Asks for
- Indicates six notes within a specified span, often the time of four comparable notes.
Septuplet
- Looks like
- A 7 over the group
- Asks for
- Indicates seven notes within a specified span; the intended ratio may require clarification.
Tuplet bracket
- Looks like
- Bracket with number
- Asks for
- Shows the extent of an irregular rhythmic subdivision.
Syncopated accent
- Looks like
- An accent mark on an offbeat note
- Asks for
- Emphasizes a normally weak beat or subdivision.
Cross-rhythm
- Looks like
- 3 against 2
- Asks for
- Presents contrasting rhythmic divisions at the same time.
Hemiola
- Looks like
- A 3:2 grouping
- Asks for
- Temporarily shifts perceived grouping between two groups of three and three groups of two.
Other chapters: Staff and Clefs · Pitch and Accidentals · Note Values and Rests · Articulation · Dynamics and Expression · Tempo and Navigation · Ornaments · Keyboard, Guitar and Ensemble · Jazz and Contemporary
Engraving styles differ between publishers and periods, and some signs change meaning with style or instrument.
Open the Music Symbols Atlas →