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time signature

By Espie Estrella, About.com

Definition: Notational device on the staff to indicate the number of beats in a measure and the note that gets one beat.
Also Known As: meter signature
Examples: In 3/4 time, there are three beats in the measure and the quarter note gets one beat. In 6/8 time, there are six beats in the measure, and the eighth note gets the beat.

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