Introduction: Compound Meter

Question 1

components

Answer 1

• feel is different than simple meter
• because of the different structure, the time signatures are different as well
• the top number MUST be divisible by three
• common top numbers are 6,9, and 12

Question 2

different meter signatures

Answer 2

• 6/8: 2 beats per measure
• 9/8: 3 beats per measure
• 12/8: 4 beats per measure
• compound duple - 2 beats
• compound triple - 3 beats
• compound quadruple - 4 beats

Question 3

compound meter

Answer 3

• rhythmic notation uses the same note/rest shapes
• the beaming groups is the main adjustment
• the beaming subdivides into three rather than two
• compound meters can have any bottom number allowed in a time signature
• changing the bottom number doesn’t change the counting, just changes the look of the music

Question 4

dotted rhythms divide the beat by:

Answer 4

• 3

Question 5

does music feel different in a duple meter versus a compound meter?

Answer 5

• yes