The exact number of notes that occur naturally in that subdivision in simple When the beat is divided into regular divisions, the subdivisions are always Notice how much easier it is to see the beat units in twelve eight time. Although they all look different, they all sound the How much easier it is to see the beat units in nine eight time.Ĭases there are four beats per measure (12 ÷ 3) and the Although they all look different, they all sound the same. Notice how much easier it isĬases there are three beats per measure (9 ÷ 3) and the In allĬases there are two beats per measure (6 ÷ 3) and theīeat unit is equal to three notes represented by the lower number or the timeĪll look different, they all sound the same. Here's a four measure rhythm notated in different meter signatures. This method should onlyīe used in slow tempos. The lower number represents the beat unit. The upper number in the time signature represents the number of beats in one In nine eight time there are three beats per measure and a dotted quarter Measure (beat unit) is three (9 ÷ 3 = 3). The beat unit is equal to the duration of three note valuesįor example, in nine eight time the number of beats per.Per measure (beat unit) is equal to the upper number of the time signature The lower number is usually 8 although it can also be a 2, 4, or 16.Ĭompound time can be counted two ways: 1. RULE: The time signature represents compound meter if the upper number is greater than or equal to six, and is a multiple of three. The first beat subdivision is divided into three parts.Īll beat subdivisions after the first are divided into two parts. In compound meter the beat unit is a dotted note. All beat subdivisions are divided into two parts. In simple meter the beat unit is a plain (not dotted) note value. 06 Compound Meter and Time Signatures MUSC 101 Music Fundamentals - Spring 2012 Unit 6 Compound Meter

Music with thirty second notes