tempus

music

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July 14, 2026

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The term "tempus" in music refers to a system of mensural notation used in European music from around 1260 to 1600. It was a crucial development for notating complex rhythms.1

Tempus specifically relates to the division of the breve (a note value) into two or three semibreves. This system, along with modus and prolatio, helped define the rhythmic structure of music. Time signatures, which indicate the meter of a composition, evolved from these mensural notation symbols. The concept of tempus is distinct from tempo, which refers to the speed or pace of a musical piece.1234

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mensural notation
…two or three breves (𝄺); tempus, division of the breve into two or three semibreves (𝆺); and prolatio, division of the semibreve into two or three minima (𝆺𝅥). Time signatures (q.v.) showed tempus and prolatio. Coloration, at first red, then white, notes (such as , 𝅆, 𝆹,
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…two or three breves (𝄺); tempus, division of the breve into two or three semibreves (𝆺); and prolatio, division of the semibreve into two or three minima (𝆺𝅥). Time signatures (q.v.) showed tempus and prolatio. Coloration, at first red, then white, notes (such as , 𝅆, 𝆹,
Read More