Part 6/7:
Each staff is divided into sections by vertical lines known as bar lines, creating what we call bars (or measures). A time signature, placed at the start of a musical piece just after the clef, informs the performer about the number of beats contained in each bar. This signature comprises two numbers; the top number indicates how many beats are in each bar, while the bottom number identifies the type of note that serves as the basic unit for the beat.
For example, a time signature indicating four beats per bar signifies that one bar can be filled with four quarter notes. This structure allows musicians to replace some quarter notes with various rhythms, enabling creative expression while maintaining the total beat count undisturbed.