The time signature itself designates either perfect time or imperfect time simply by the numerator that is being used as the top number in the time signature. Also, depending upon what the numerator is divisible by, this will determine whether the time signature is in simple time or in compound time.

This is the third part of our mini-series on the subject of time signatures. There are many symbols used in music composition and notation which instruct performers on how to play the written music. Time signatures are a key component of those instructions.

Time Signatures represent the time related structures and instructions whereby the note and rest patterns are placed within a specific rhythmically based sequence. They are simply observable, repeated events which occur within the structure of…

…understanding time signatures requires a certain amount of study of three concepts; a philosophical approach to the concept of time itself, the description of the symbols used for notating music as well as an approach via the use of musical symbols in applications demonstrating the effect the different symbols have on playback and performance of music.