Simple or compound?
Read the top number
A top number of 2, 3 or 4 is simple time: plain beats that divide into two. A top number of 6, 9 or 12 is compound time: dotted beats that divide into three. Both bars hold six quavers, but the beams show the beats.
Quick check
Is simple or compound?
Duple, triple, quadruple
The number of beats in a bar gives the second word: two beats duple, three triple, four quadruple. Put the two words together: is simple duple, compound duple, compound quadruple.
Quick check
Which time signature is compound triple?
Remember
- Top number 2, 3, 4: simple. 6, 9, 12: compound.
- Beats in a bar: 2 duple, 3 triple, 4 quadruple.
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This question is in Brainlag Plus