Definitions for "Broken time"
A pause in an action that's normally performed in one movement.
An action with an interruption in the rhythm (cadence) of its execution.
All pieces of music in the Western tradition state the time signature and key signature at the beginning of the score. Many works are written in 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 3/8, and 6/8 time frames; other time signatures are used but these are the most common. In the process of composing a piece of music, the writer may chose to change the time signature. Sometimes it will be just for a measure or two and on other occasions the change will require a major divergence in the composition. These small measured changes are referred to as "broken time" where a transition may occur or syllabic composing will call for a slight interruption from the original time signature. 4/4, when interrupted, often changes to 2/4. Broken time can also refer to stuttered time signatures such a 5/4 or 7/8 which, for the novice performer and listener, can be quite unsettling.
a way of playing in which the beat is not stated explicitly. Irregular, improvised syncopation. Especially applied to bass and drum playing.