Time Signature — Notation indicating how many beats occur in each measure and which note value receives one beat

Simple Time — Meter where each beat divides naturally into two equal parts

Compound Time — Meter where each beat divides naturally into three equal parts

Duple Meter — Time signature with two beats per measure

Triple Meter — Time signature with three beats per measure

Quadruple Meter — Time signature with four beats per measure

Simple Duple Time — Two beats per measure with beats divided into two (e.g., 2/4)

Simple Triple Time — Three beats per measure with beats divided into two (e.g., 3/4)

Simple Quadruple Time — Four beats per measure with beats divided into two (e.g., 4/4)

Compound Duple Time — Two beats per measure with beats divided into three (e.g., 6/8)

Compound Triple Time — Three beats per measure with beats divided into three (e.g., 9/8)

Compound Quadruple Time — Four beats per measure with beats divided into three (e.g., 12/8)

Common Time — Alternate symbol for 4/4 time signature

Cut Time (Alla Breve) — Notation for 2/2 time emphasizing half-note beats

Asymmetrical Meter — Time signature with uneven beat groupings (e.g., 5/8, 7/8)

Odd Meter — Any time signature with an odd number of beats or subdivisions

Additive Meter — Meter constructed from grouped subdivisions (e.g., 3+2+3/8)

Complex Meter — Time signature combining multiple beat groupings within one measure

Mixed Meter — Frequent or deliberate changes of time signature between measures

Changing Meter — Explicit alternation of time signatures written into the score

Polymeter — Simultaneous use of different time signatures in different voices

Polyrhythm — Multiple rhythmic groupings occurring simultaneously within the same meter

Cross-Rhythm — Rhythmic pattern contradicting the primary meter’s accent structure

Irrational Time Signature — Time signature using unconventional denominators (e.g., 5/6, 7/12)

Fractional Time Signature — Meter indicating proportional beat relationships rather than fixed note values

Metric Modulation — Technique where a note value in one meter becomes the beat unit of another

Free Time — Absence of a fixed or recurring time signature

Unmetered Music — Music without measurable beats or bars

Ametric Music — Music that deliberately avoids metric organization

Metric Dissonance — Conflict between perceived beat groupings and notated meter

Hemiola — Temporary shift in perceived meter, often two beats replacing three

Hypermeter — Large-scale grouping of measures perceived as higher-level beats

Submetric Pulse — Fast underlying rhythmic subdivision beneath the primary beat

Macro-Meter — Overall large-scale metric framework of a composition

Micro-Meter — Small-scale rhythmic subdivisions operating within a beat

Swing Meter — Interpretive alteration of straight subdivisions into long-short patterns

Tuplet-Based Meter — Meter emphasizing irregular subdivisions such as quintuplets or septuplets

Isorhythm — Repeating rhythmic pattern independent of melodic material

Metric Ostinato — Repeated rhythmic figure reinforcing a specific meter

Metric Ambiguity — Deliberate uncertainty about the perceived meter

Hidden Meter — Meter implied by accents rather than explicitly stated

Metric Phase Shifting — Gradual displacement of rhythmic patterns against the meter