Time signature numerals
Stacked time-signature numerals describe metre: the upper figure gives the bar's count or grouping, and the lower figure names the written unit. In compound metre, such as 6/8, the 6 counts eighth-note divisions while the felt beats are usually two dotted quarters.
- Time signatures
- At the start of the staff
- Numbers
Do not confuse it with
They resemble a fraction but do not express a mathematical fraction of a whole note in every musical sense.
What the sources say
- Dorico Pro — Time signatures
A time signature is made up of two parts: numerator on top, and denominator underneath.
- Steps to Music Theory — Compound Meters
Compound: The top number is 6, 9, or 12 and represents the number of divisions per measure.
- SMuFL — Time signatures
timeSigCombNumerator — Control character for numerator digit