1. Beat, Meter, and Rhythm: Compound Meters
Chapter 5 Notes

2. Meter Signatures Key Concept - page 79 In compound meters:
The upper number of the meter signature is 6, 9, or 12, representing duple, triple, or quadruple meter respectively. Divide the top number by three to get the number of beats per measure (two, three, or four)
The lower number is usually 4, 8, or 16. This number shows the division of the beat. Add together three of these note values to get the beat unit, which will always be a dotted rhythm.

3. Meter Signatures Top numbers are divisible by 3.
Three of the bottom notes put together is one
beat unit. (Always equals a
dotted rhythm.)

4. Example

5. Counting Compound Meters
du da di du da di du da di du da di
1 and a and a and a and a

6. Notation of the beat Key Concept - page 83
Correct notation reinforces the beat unit. Notes should be beamed to reflect the beat. Rests should also be notated to clearly reflect the beat units.

7. Notation of the Beat
Just like in simple meters, beats are grouped together
Turn to page 83, 84, and 85

8. Triplets
Triplets - borrowed beat unit from compound meter put into simple meter
Turn to page 87, 88, and 89

9. Duplets
Duplets - borrowed from simple meters and put into compound meters
Turn to page 90

10. Quadruplets
Quadruplets - borrowed from simple meters and put into compound meters