PROJECT

ELEMENTS OF MUSIC
COMPOUND METERS

Meter Signatures
The beat divides into 3

The beat unit is the dotted

quarter note

The 8 on the bottom of the

signature represents an
eighth note

THE TOP NUMBER REPRESENTS DUPLE TRIPLE OR QUADRUPLE

THE LOWER NUMBER REPRESENTS THE DIVISION OF THE BEAT

How to Conduct
Compound Meter
Conducting patterns remain the same as Simple
meter.

Divide top number by 3 to determine which

pattern.

Exception would be if you are at a slow tempo and

conducting 8th notes

SUBDIVISION IN COMPOUND TIME

Sub-Dividing the Beat

1 ta la ta li ta

Du ta Da ta Di ta

ta va ki di da ma

1&2&3&

Beat Units other than

Dotted Quarter Note

Duplets, Quadruplets,
Polyrhythm

Duplets- Appear in Compound meters as 2 8th notes over one beat

Quadruplets- are 4 8th notes placed over one beat

Polyrhythm- The juxtaposition of 2 beat divisions

Duplets, Triplets, & Quadruplets all are called Tuplets

Terms You Should Know

Anacrusis

Compound Duple

Compound Triple

Compound
Quadruple

Duplet

Hemiola

Quadruplet

Rubato

Triplet

Tuplet