Grade 3 Music Theory - Simple & Compound Time Signatures

Music Matters

16 May 201425:30

EducationalLearning

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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

😀 There are two main types of time in music - simple time and compound time
😊 Simple time has beats that divide into two's (duple), three's (triple) or four's (quadruple)
🎵 Compound time organizing beats into groups of three, with dotted note values
🎼 Common simple time signatures: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4. Common compound times: 6/8, 9/8, 12/8
🎹 You can identify simple vs. compound times by looking at beat groupings and dotted notes
🎶 Simple duple is two beats per bar (2/4)
🥁 Simple triple is three beats per bar (3/4)
🪘 Simple quadruple is four beats per bar (4/4)
🎺 Compound duple divides six beats into two groups of three (6/8)
🎷 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

00:00

😄 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.

05:04

😃 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.

10:06

🎵 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.

15:09

🥁 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.

20:10

🎹 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.

25:10

✅ Conclusion and recap

Paragraph 6 concludes by summarizing the main points covered about simple versus compound time signatures.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Simple time

Simple time refers to time signatures where the upper number indicates the number of beats per bar. For example, 2/4 has 2 crotchet beats per bar. Simple duple time has 2 beats per bar, simple triple has 3 beats per bar, and simple quadruple has 4 beats per bar.

💡Compound time

Compound time refers to time signatures where the upper number is divisible by 3 (6, 9, 12) and the beats are dotted notes that divide into groups of 3 smaller note values. For example, 6/8 has 2 dotted crotchet beats, with 6 quavers grouped into sets of 3.

💡Duple time

Duple time refers to meter or rhythm where there are 2 beats per bar. In simple duple time signatures, the upper number is 2, like 2/4 or 2/2. In compound duple times, the upper number is 6 (6/8 or 6/4), with 2 dotted beats.

💡Triple time

Triple time refers to meter where there are 3 beats per bar. Simple triple times have 3 as the upper number, like 3/4 or 3/8. Compound triple times have 9 as the upper number, like 9/8 or 9/4, with 3 dotted beats.

💡Quadruple time

Quadruple time refers to meter with 4 beats per bar. In simple quadruple times the upper number is 4, like 4/4 or 4/2. Compound quadruple times have 12 at the top, like 12/8 or 12/4, with 4 dotted beats per bar.

💡Time signature

The time signature indicates the meter or rhythmic structure of a piece of music. The top number shows how many beats are in each bar and the bottom number shows the note value that gets one beat.

💡Dotted note

A dotted note is a note with a dot after it, which means its duration is increased by half its original value. Dotted notes are used in compound time signatures to create the feeling of lilt or swing in the beats.

💡Beat grouping

Beat grouping refers to how the rhythmic flow is organized within each bar or measure. Simple time signatures have beat groupings that match the number at the top of the time signature. Compound times have beat groupings in 3s.

💡Beam together

To beam notes together means to visually connect 2 or more notes (usually 8th notes or shorter values) with a beam or bar across their stems. It shows they are part of the same beat grouping within the measure.

💡Lilt

A lilt refers to a gentle rise and fall in rhythm, creating a feeling of swing, sway or dance in the music. Compound time signatures lend this type of lilt to the rhythm because of their dotted beat groupings.

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

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