Unit 4-1: Simple & Compound Meter

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Define time signature, pulse, meter, tempo, rhythm, syncopation, and swing.
Explain the concept of meter in music, including its role in organizing rhythmic patterns and creating a sense of pulse and rhythmic stability.
Understand the distinction between simple and compound meters and be able to identify examples of each.
Understand the relationship between time signature, beat divisions, and rhythmic values, and be able to accurately notate rhythms in these meters.
Analyze musical examples in simple meter, identifying the underlying pulse, meter signature, and rhythmic patterns.

Preparation for Class

Read:

"Rhythm and Meter" (Robin Armstrong, GlobalMusix)
Review as Needed:
- - Concepts:"Rhythm" (Summary) in Turek's Today's Musician, pp. 666–677; Compound Meter and Simple Meter in OMT.
  - Aural Meter ID: "Identifying Meter by Ear," "Distinguishing Compound & Triple" (Chenette)

Watch

(Optional Review Videos)

Simple Meter

(Music Theory 101, 16 minutes)

Compound Meter

(Music Theory 101, 12 minutes)

Explore

Your Song Playlist: Go through your own song playlist and try to determine what meter each song is in. What meter(s) seem to be the most popular on your list? Why do you think that is? Try to find an example of a song in at least 4 different meters. (Be sure to find at least 1 example of compound time). Can you find an example of a song that uses more than one meter type within the same song? Include your song selections in your Pre-Class Musition assignment.

Study Aids

Simple & Compound Meter Handout
(Toby Rush, Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People)

Examples of Simple & Compound Time Signatures and Counts
(Sarah Louden)

The image is a chart illustrating examples of simple and compound time signatures, grouped by their meter types: duple, triple, and quadruple. The chart is split into two main sections labeled 'Simple' and 'Compound,' each of which contains various time signatures. Each time signature is displayed with corresponding note patterns that show how beats are divided in these meters. Simple Time: Duple (2 beats per measure): 2/2: Shows two half notes, each subdivided into two quarter notes. 2/4: Two quarter notes, each subdivided into two eighth notes. 2/8: Two eighth notes, each subdivided into two sixteenth notes. Triple (3 beats per measure): 3/2: Three half notes, each subdivided into two quarter notes. 3/4: Three quarter notes, each subdivided into two eighth notes. 3/8: Three eighth notes, each subdivided into two sixteenth notes. Quadruple (4 beats per measure): 4/2: Four half notes, each subdivided into two quarter notes. 4/4: Four quarter notes, each subdivided into two eighth notes. 4/8: Four eighth notes, each subdivided into two sixteenth notes. Compound Time: Duple (2 beats per measure, each divided into three): 6/4: Two dotted half notes, each subdivided into three quarter notes. 6/8: Two dotted quarter notes, each subdivided into three eighth notes. 6/16: Two dotted eighth notes, each subdivided into three sixteenth notes. Triple (3 beats per measure, each divided into three): 9/4: Three dotted half notes, each subdivided into three quarter notes. 9/8: Three dotted quarter notes, each subdivided into three eighth notes. 9/16: Three dotted eighth notes, each subdivided into three sixteenth notes. Quadruple (4 beats per measure, each divided into three): 12/4: Four dotted half notes, each subdivided into three quarter notes. 12/8: Four dotted quarter notes, each subdivided into three eighth notes. 12/16: Four dotted eighth notes, each subdivided into three sixteenth notes.

The image illustrates the breakdown of beats in different compound time signatures, represented on musical staves with explanations. It is divided into three examples: 6/8 time, 9/16 time, and 12/8 time, each showing how the beats are subdivided. 6/8 Time Signature (Duple): Shows a measure with two dotted quarter notes. Each dotted quarter note divides into three eighth notes. Explained as "6 = 6 division notes, 8 = 8th note is the division of the beat. One beat = 3 eighth notes. 2 beats per measure." 9/16 Time Signature (Triple): Displays a measure with three beats; each beat is a dotted eighth note. Each dotted eighth note divides into three sixteenth notes. Labeled as "9 = 9 division notes, 16 = 16th note is the division of the beat. One beat = 3 sixteenth notes. 3 beats per measure." 12/8 Time Signature (Quadruple): Presents a measure divided into four beats; each beat is a dotted quarter note. Each dotted quarter note is divided into three eighth notes. Noted as "12 = 12 division notes, 8 = 8th note is the division of the beat. One beat = 3 eighth notes. 4 beats per measure.

Different Parameters for Describing Rhythm
(from JuliaJooya.com)

The image is a mind map titled 'Rhythm in Music' that illustrates key components of rhythm in a musical context. In the center, there is a large circle with the word 'Rhythm' inside, representing the main topic. Surrounding the central circle are eight smaller oval labels, each connected to the center by a thin line. These labels describe different aspects of rhythm: 1. Phrasing: Described as 'The shorter sections that combine to make up the music as a whole.' 2. Tempo: Defined as 'The speed or pace of the music.' 3. Beat: Labeled as 'The underlying pulse in the music.' 4. Ostinato: Defined as 'A repeated musical pattern.' 5. Length of Notes: Described as 'How long or short a note sounds.' 6. Time Signature: Explained as 'Two numbers at the beginning of the music that determine the number and type of beats in a bar of music.' 7. Accents: Defined as 'Stress or emphasis on a note.'

Pre-Class Assignment

Assignment 4-1

In-Class Activities

Discussion

Pinning Down Definitions: Work in groups or pairs to define the terms: rhythm, meter, beat, pulse, time signature, syncopation, and swing, then compare your definitions as a class. Think about how you would clearly explain each of these concepts to someone who isn't a musician. Consider using a song or two to help you define each term and provide an example.
Metric Differences: What is the difference between simple and compound meter aurally and in terms of notation? What makes something sound like it's in 2, 3, or 4? How would you explain these differences to a non-musician? Discuss some of the aural cues that you're listening for to make your determinations.
- - Why might an artist choose to write in one particular meter over another? What types of aesthetic effects or styles do you associate with specific meters? (As an example, what meters are waltzes and marches typically written in?) Use the playlist in the anthology if you need some song examples to get the discussion going. If a song is in compound time, try to imagine it in simple (or vice versa), or in 4 vs. 3. Think about how meter affects your perception of the song and the lyrics.
Time Signatures: What time signatures are commonly associated with simple and compound time? What are some of the less common time signatures (e.g. 6/16)? Talk through a few examples, then write a short 1–2 bar rhythm using that time signature and perform it.
- - Why do time signatures like 6/16 or 2/2 exist? Why not write the 2/2 example in 2/4 or 4/4 time? Why not write the 6/16 example in 6/8? How might the time signature affect the way the performer interprets or plays the music? (Consider this example of "Oh Shenandoah" written in three aurally equivalent time signatures.)

Activities

Metric Analysis of a Song: Open the Simple & Compound Time Playlist in the anthology. Shuffle the playlist to get a good variety of meters. Work in groups or as a class to analyze the meter for each song. Identify the underlying pulse, the time signature, and mark out recurring rhythmic subdivisions on a score or rhythm chart. Afterward, present your findings to the class and discuss any differing interpretations.
Comparative Analysis: Select two pieces of music—one in simple meter and another in compound meter—that share a similar musical theme or style. Compare and contrast the rhythmic characteristics, accents, and overall rhythmic feel of the two compositions. Discuss how the choice of meter affects the interpretation and emotional impact of each piece.
Composing in Different Meters: Select a short poem as a class to use as lyrics. Select a meter and compose a rhythm for rapping those lyrics back. Then, compose a rhythm for those lyrics in three other meters. As you switch between meters, think about how elements of rhythm and duration may need to change to make your composition sound like it's in the intended meter. Perform the compositions for your group; ask your classmates to try to guess the time signature you used. If they guess a meter different from what you intended, try to determine what rhythmic elements of your composition may suggest the meter they're perceiving.

Repertoire for Practice

These pages of the anthology include Youtube playlists for practicing Aural Meter ID. The Compound Meter page includes a playlist with a mix of simple and compound meters. These pages also include notation examples missing time signatures for ID.

Anthology: Simple Meter

Anthology: Compound Meter

NEXT STEP

Next Lesson: Hypermeter

Want to learn more?

Perceptions of Downbeat and Illusion: Check out David Bruce's video exploring music by Radiohead.

Rhythm & The Brain: Explore periodic and non-periodic rhythmic patterns, timing, phrasing, and whether composers write music in the rhythm of their native language in the video by Dr. Aniruddh D. Patel, "The Complexities of Musical Rhythm" from the series Music and the Brain. Also see "Perceiving and Moving to a Rhythmic Beat" from the same series.

Radiohead & the Rhythmic Illusion
David Bruce (10 mins)

Dr. Aniruddh D. Patel
The Complexities of Musical Rhythm
Perceiving and Moving to a Rhythmic Beat

Optional Additional Practice

Musition:
- - Meter Recognition: All Levels
  - Meter Transposition: All Levels
  - Rhythm Notation: all Levels
Auralia:
- - Meter Recognition: Levels 1–3

Quizlet Flashcards: See a whole folder of meter flashcards here.

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