Music Fundamentals A Balanced Approach

As a result of these two concurrent rhythmic patterns, there are two ways of counting compound time
signatures.

• The first method of counting utilizes the main beats in each measure.


• The second method utilizes the divided beat.

Your instructor will determine which method of counting to use for compound meters. Some musicians use
both methods: the first method for melodies with larger note values that are played at faster tempos, and the
second method for melodies with smaller note values that are played at slower tempos. Both methods should
emphasize the main beats in each measure—and both should “sound the same.”

First Method of Counting Compound Meter

We can look at the grouping of three eighth notes in the treble clef of Ross Lee Finney’s “Mirrors” to demonstrate
the first method of counting compound meter.

193

RHYTHM: COMPOUND METER

œ œœ œ œœœœœœ

œœœœœœœœœ

œœœœœœœœœœœœ

œ œœ œœ œ

œ œœ œœ œœ œ

4

2

4

3

4

4

2

3

4

q

q

q

q

q

qqq

qqqq

8

62

q >

8

93

q >

q .q.

.q .q .q

q.q .q.q.

> 8

124

• q > –

.

.

.

2 main pulses

Division

3 main pulses

Division

4 main pulses

Division

Simple duple Compound duple

Simple triple Compound triple

Simple quadruple Compound quadruple

Q

= 1

SIMPLE METER

Division into groups of 2

Q

= 1

.

COMPOUND METER

Division into groups of 3