Grade 3 Music Theory - Simple & Compound Time Signatures
TLDRThe video explains the difference between simple and compound time in music. Simple time has regular beats per bar based on the top number of the time signature (2, 3 or 4 beats). Compound time organizes rhythms into groups of three, with dotted note values making up the beats per bar, based on the top number (6, 9 or 12 notes grouped into 2, 3 or 4 beats). Examples of simple and parallel compound time signatures are provided. The audience learns to identify time signatures by analyzing rhythmic groupings.
Takeaways
- ๐ There are two main types of time in music - simple time and compound time
- ๐ Simple time has beats that divide into two's (duple), three's (triple) or four's (quadruple)
- ๐ต Compound time organizing beats into groups of three, with dotted note values
- ๐ผ Common simple time signatures: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4. Common compound times: 6/8, 9/8, 12/8
- ๐น You can identify simple vs. compound times by looking at beat groupings and dotted notes
- ๐ถ Simple duple is two beats per bar (2/4)
- ๐ฅ Simple triple is three beats per bar (3/4)
- ๐ช Simple quadruple is four beats per bar (4/4)
- ๐บ Compound duple divides six beats into two groups of three (6/8)
- ๐ท Compound triple divides nine beats into three groups of three (9/8)
Q & A
What are the two main types of time in music theory?
-The two main types of time in music theory are simple time and compound time.
What does the top number in a time signature tell you?
-The top number in a time signature tells you how many beats there are in each bar.
What is the difference between duple, triple and quadruple time?
-Duple time has two beats per bar, triple time has three beats per bar, and quadruple time has four beats per bar.
In compound time, how are the beats organized?
-In compound time, the beats are organized into groups of three within the bar.
Why is 6/8 an example of compound duple time?
-6/8 is an example of compound duple time because it has six quaver beats per bar grouped into two dotted crotchet beats.
What is the compound triple equivalent of 6/8?
-The compound triple equivalent of 6/8 is 9/8, which has nine quaver beats per bar grouped into three dotted crotchet beats.
What is the main difference between simple and compound times?
-In simple times, the beats are not dotted, while in compound times, the beats are dotted.
How can you identify if a time signature is simple or compound?
-If the beats are grouped in threes, it is likely compound time. If grouped in twos or fours, it is likely simple time.
How would you determine the time signature from looking at a rhythm?
-Count the main beats and note values in each bar to determine the likely time signature based on simple vs compound, and duple/triple/quadruple organization.
Why are there rarely fractions used in the top or bottom numbers of a time signature?
-Fractions are rarely used in time signatures because the meters need to divide into whole beats within each bar.
Outlines
๐ Defining simple and compound time signatures
Paragraph 1 introduces the topic of simple and compound time signatures in music. It provides examples of pieces in simple and compound times to demonstrate their different rhythmic feels. A table is drawn to list common examples of simple duple, triple, and quadruple time signatures versus their compound time equivalents.
๐ Converting time signatures: Simple to compound
Paragraph 2 continues building the time signature table, converting simple duple, triple, and quadruple times into their compound equivalents. It explains how compound meters group beats into sets of three and how this creates a lilting rhythmic feeling.
๐ต Identifying beats in 6/8 and 9/8
Paragraph 3 uses the examples of 6/8 and 9/8 to demonstrate beat groupings in compound duple and triple times. It explains how 6/8 consists of 2 groups of 3 eighth notes totaling 2 dotted quarter note beats and 9/8 consists of 3 groups of 3 eighth notes totaling 3 dotted quarter note beats.
๐ฅ More examples of compound time signatures
Paragraph 4 provides additional examples of compound triple and quadruple times, specifically 9/4 and 12/8. It explains how these time signatures break larger numbers of beats into groups of three to derive their final beat groupings per bar.
๐น Clues for identifying simple vs. compound times
Paragraph 5 notes some patterns to recognize simple versus compound times, like beaming in groups of 2 or 4 versus groups of 3 and the presence of dotted notes on beats. It also demonstrates how to identify the time signature of an excerpt by analyzing its rhythm.
โ Conclusion and recap
Paragraph 6 concludes by summarizing the main points covered about simple versus compound time signatures.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กSimple time
๐กCompound time
๐กDuple time
๐กTriple time
๐กQuadruple time
๐กTime signature
๐กDotted note
๐กBeat grouping
๐กBeam together
๐กLilt
Highlights
There are two different kinds of time - simple and compound
Simple time feels like a march with 4 beats or a waltz with 3 beats per bar
Compound time has more of a lilting rhythm
Simple duple time has 2 beats, simple triple has 3 beats, simple quadruple has 4 beats per bar
In compound time, beats are dotted and notes are grouped in 3s
6/8 is the most common compound duple time, with 2 dotted crotchet beats
9/8 is compound triple time with 3 dotted crotchet beats
12/8 is a compound quadruple time with 4 dotted crotchet beats
Simple times have 2, 3 or 4 beats; compound times have 6, 9 or 12 beats per bar
Look for beaming in groups of 3 to identify compound time signatures
You can double/half time signatures to find equivalents
Check all bars to correctly identify simple vs compound time
Count the shortest note values to determine beats per bar
Group notes in 3s and identify dotted beats to confirm compound time
Use the simple vs compound time table to decode time signatures
Transcripts
Browse More Related Video
How to Tell if Music is in Simple Time or Compound Time - Music Theory
The Difference Between 3/4 and 6/8 Time Signatures - Music Theory
Can You Beam Correctly in 6/8 Compound Time? - Music Theory
The Difference Between 3/4 and 3/8 Time Signatures - Music Theory
The Difference Between 2/2 and 4/4 Time Signatures - Music Theory
#6 LEARN FREE MUSIC THEORY
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: