Simple and Compound Time
Time signatures
Time signatures occur at
the beginning of every
line of a piece of music.
They tell you how many
beats there are in a bar,
and what type of beat
it is.
The top number tells us how many
beats there are in the bar
The bottom number tells us what type
of beat it is
Note values
2 = minim
4 = crotchet
8 = quaver
Common Time
The time signature 4/4 is often referred to as
‘common time’ and can also be written using
the letter C
The time signature 2/2
is also known as ‘cut
common time’ and is
shown by a C cut in
half
Simple Time
Most key signatures in music are in ‘simple
time’, where each beat is counted as one.
For example, in 3/4 time there are 3 crotchet
beats.
In 2/2 time, there are 2 minim beats.
Compound Time
In compound time, each beat is a dotted note.
For example, although 6/8 time has six quaver beats in
the bar, the beat is given by two dotted crotchets.
As a result, in compound time the number of beats is
always devisable by 3.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/eleme
nts_of_music/rhythm_metre5.shtml
Writing in Simple and Compound Time
In 3/4 time, notes
are grouped to show
three crotchet beats.
In 6/8 time, notes
are grouped to show
two dotted crotchet
beats.
Listening Examples
Listen to the following pieces of music and
answer the following questions.
1. What is their time signature?
2. Are they in simple or common time?
Listening Examples
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on1DDSLdDOo
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdzQ8eFlMdI
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwNrmYRiX_o
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmwRQqJsegw
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJcoaIeH3GI
6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AlEvy0fJto
7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX07j9SDFcc
8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-JAP7Kf1cI
9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Xm7s9eGxU
10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xuMwfUqJJM