Compound Meter
Definition
Compound meter refers to a musical time signature where the beat is divided into three equal parts. It creates a more complex and layered rhythmic feel.
Analogy
Imagine riding your bike downhill, pedaling in sets of three rotations before coasting again. Each set of three rotations represents one beat in compound meter - it requires more coordination but adds excitement to your ride.
Related terms
Simple Meter: Simple meter refers to a musical time signature where the beat is divided into two equal parts. It provides a straightforward and steady rhythmic feel.
Time Signature: The time signature indicates the meter of a piece of music. It consists of two numbers written at the beginning of the staff, representing beats per measure and note value for each beat.
Triple Meter: Triple meter is a type of compound meter where each measure has three beats. It's like dancing gracefully in waltz rhythm, emphasizing every third movement.
"Compound Meter" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Are you a college student?
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.