Simple vs. Compound Meter

Time signatures classified in simple meter have notes that can be divided into groups of...

• 3

• 2

• 4

• 1

Simple meter time signatures must have a __, __ , or __ as the top #.

• 4, 5, or 6

• 1, 2, or 3

• 2, 3, or 4

• 6, 9, or 12

Time signatures with a "2" as the top # are qualified as...

• duple

• triple

• quadruple

• none of the above

Time signatures with a "3" as the top # are qualified as...

• duple

• triple

• quadruple

• none of the above

Time signatures with a "4" as the top # are qualified as...

• duple

• triple

• quadruple

• none of the above

Time signatures with a "5" as the top # are qualified as...

• duple

• triple

• quadruple

• none of the above

What does the TOP # in a time signature tell you?

• What note gets the beat

• How many beats are in a measure

• What note to start on

• How fast to sing the passage of music

What does the BOTTOM # in a time signature tell you?

• What note gets the beat

• How many beats are in a measure

• What note to start on

• How fast to sing the passage of music

When you have a "2" in the BOTTOM of the time signature, what note gets the beat?

• Quarter Note

• Eighth Note

• Half Note

• Sixteenth Note

When you have a "4" in the BOTTOM of the time signature, what note gets the beat?

• Quarter Note

• Eighth Note

• Half Note

• Sixteenth Note