What does a time signature specify?

• A. The tempo and dynamics.
• B. The meter of the music: how many beats per measure and what note value gets the beat.
• C. The key and mode.
• D. The composer of the piece.

Answer: (B)

Time signatures specify the meter of the music—the number of beats in each measure and which note value gets the beat. This tells you how the music is counted and grouped rhythmically. For example, in 4/4 there are four quarter-note beats per measure and the quarter note gets the beat; in 3/4 there are three such beats per measure. This concept is separate from tempo (how fast the music is played) and dynamics (how loudly or softly), and from the key or mode (the tonal center) or from who wrote it. So the statement that describes the meter and the beat unit is the one that matches what a time signature specifies.