Meter and
Rhythmic
Notation
Metrical Grouping and Meter
 Meter
– series of stressed and unstressed
beats resulting in a sense of metrical
grouping
 Duple
 Triple
 Quadruple
Divisions and Subdivisions of
the Beat
 Simple

Beat is divided into two equal parts
 Compound

Beat is divided into three equal parts
 i.e.;

simple duple / compound triple
Give an example of a simple
meter/compound meter.
Metrical Hierarchy
Simple Duple
Compound Duple
Meter Level
|
|
Beat Level
|
Beat Division
| I | I
| I I |I I
Simple Triple
Compound Triple
Meter Level
|
|
Beat Level
|||
|
Beat Division
|I|I | I
|I I |I I |I I
Simple Quadruple
Compound Quad.
Meter Level
|
|
Beat Level
||||
|
Beat Division
|I|I | I | I
|I I |I I |I I |I I
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Meter Signature in Moderate Tempo
Simple Meters
Meter Signature in Moderate Tempo
Compound Meters
Other forms of Meter Signature


Common
Time
4
4
Alla breve
2
2
Meter signature notation
conceptualized by
Carl Orff and used by
many contemporary
composers
Guidelines for Rhythmic Notation

Meter signature appears at the beginning of
the first staff; it may not reappear

Instrumental music: eighth & sixteenth notes
beamed in groups of two, three, four, and
possibly six, depending on meter

Choral/Vocal music: eighth & sixteenth notes
beamed according to the text underlay

Keep things clear by notating the durational
patterns so that each beamed group begins
on its strongest beat
Terms and Concepts for Review
Rhythm
Pulse
Beat
Tempo
Tempo Markings
adagio
andante
moderato
allegro
presto
Changes in Tempo
accelerando
ritardando
a tempo
rubato
Metrical grouping
Downbeat
Anacrusis, upbeat
Measure, bar
Bar line
Duple meter
Triple meter
Quadruple Meter
Beat Division
Simple Meter
Compound Meter
Metrical Hierarchy
Metrical accent
Beat value
Meter (time) signature
Self Quiz
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Quadruple Meter
Beat Division
9/8
Accelerando
Dotted note
Tempo
Allegro
Meter
.
Downbeat
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
Gradually speed up the beat
The rate of speed of the beat
Four beats in a measure
Simple or compound
Grouping of beats into regular
measures
First stressed beat of the
measure
Gets the beat in compound
meter
Compound triple meter
Fast tempo
alla breve
Self Quiz
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Quadruple Meter
Beat Division
9/8
Accelerando
Dotted note
Tempo
Allegro
Meter
.
Downbeat
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
Gradually speed up the beat
The rate of speed of the beat
Four beats in a measure
Simple or compound
Grouping of beats into regular
measures
First stressed beat of the
measure
Gets the beat in compound
meter
Compound triple meter
Fast tempo
alla breve