Rhythm
Time Signature
A sign showing how beats are grouped in each bar.
In plain English
The top number usually shows how many beats are in a bar. The bottom number identifies the note value used to represent one beat.
Try or listen for this
In 4/4, a bar contains four quarter-note beats. In 3/4, it contains three.
Why it matters
Time signatures help musicians count, read, and feel the larger rhythmic pattern.