How to Tell if Music is in Simple Time or Compound Time - Music Theory

[@MusicMattersGB]

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[@geraldedwards5762]

I've always had some confusion on the subject of 'time signatures'... thank you for making it very easy to understand!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.

[@geraldedwards5762]

@@MusicMattersGB A question, if you have time to respond... where do odd/irregular time signatures fit into? ie: Rush-Tom Sawyer (7/8) portion and Pink Floyd- Money (7/4)... there are probably others but these come to mind. Would these be considered simple or compound, or maybe something else?

[@MusicMattersGB]

These are called irregular time signatures eg 5/8 is either 2+3 or 3+2 ie one simple beat and one compound beat.

[@ephjaymusic]

As a teacher for classical piano - your lessons here are a joy to watch!

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s very generous of you. Loads more at www.mmcourses.co.uk where you can find 24 online courses, an invitation to join Music Matters Maestros, an opportunity to book one to one tuition, and much more.

[@reginaj9277]

The explanations are just so simple, yet makes you understand everything fully. I've always had so much trouble with this, and now studying for the ABRSM tests, I really gotta sit down and master these. Thanks so much for these tips and explanations!!!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Glad it’s helpful. Have a look at www.mmcourses.co.uk where you can find all ABRSM test issues explained.

[@colink4823]

This video really is an eye opener. Now I actually understand time signatures. I had no idea that there was simple and compound time. Excellent video and channel. I'm subscribed

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@natalialajdova1164]

I love this channel! Thank you for knowledge you share and the work you're putting in! 🙂

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@oliviatynes2548]

i’m a third year music major but i’ve been in and out of school and my music major - i’ve always heard how compound time felt different. but I never understood how to count compound meter. hearing “simple meters divide into two, and compound meters divide into three” with the example showing that we group into three made it click. thanks for the work you put into the videos

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@MrSagdayev]

Amazingly clear, no-nonsense explanation. My 9 year-old's due to tgake his grade 5 soon, and it's been 35 years since I did mine, so this really helped both of us. Thank you so much.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great. Have a look at the resources we have on the Music Matters website www.mmcourses.co.uk especially in relation to the Grade 5.

[@wesleydring7618]

Fantastic videos. You always explain things in such an easily comprehensible way that no one else even comes close to! Thanks so much.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s most kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@RichJCW]

This is incredibly helpful, thank you. I think my problem was that I was being too mathematical about it - i.e. '3/2 and 6/4 are just equivalent fractions which are worth the same thing so how is there a difference?' I now realise that it's more about the 'feel' of how they are played.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@hiuyautam8803]

Thank you!! You are a good music teacher!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@gen2358]

Currently doing a course in music and your videos and explanations are very helpful! You explain theory concepts very well.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@iknowyouknowiknow]

This definitely helped in differentiating between the two. Surely, it'll be easier to figure out more as i practice but thank you so much for this! 😄

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@FrankMGarcía]

Thank you for your videos! I wander if you would ever be able to teach us some orchestration theory. That would be great.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Hi. Have a look at www.mmcourses.co.uk where you will find our Orchestration course.

[@sterlinnithyaofficial9086]

Hi Sir, 5:08 isnt that a simple quadruple? Thank you so much for all your works. Its a great help.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Good spot! Yes, 4/4 should be simple quadruple!

[@via5955]

yeah, he probably said it wrong but didn't wan't to stutter

[@treeeasywayne9383]

Very good explanation, you make a great part of music make sense. I had to subscribe.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@ryanharris2462]

Superb explanation, especially with the practical example of how simple and compound times sound. Thanks!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Glad it’s helpful

[@thomaswilke6312]

Great lesson. Now I know the difference between simple and compound time

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@annathebell2518]

Thank you so much!!!!! Learning it this way makes it so much easier than just memorising it. I understand everything well now!

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s fabulous.

[@babackd.6485]

I had never understood the difference between simple and compound times so clearly. Thanks a lot for that. Can you please make a video expanding this subject and focus more on the hearing part? We are so used to hearing 4/4 and 3/4 in modern music that our ears are not entirely familiar with other compound time signatures. Thanks in advance

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@suefauziyah]

Very clear explanations. Thank you!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@d-x-v-i]

This is exceptionally clear, thank you so much

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@daniellefernandes8744]

Love your videos!

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s really kind. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.

[@user-sj2vn1jq4c]

This is fantastic. Really good to know about 2 beats being simple time and 3 beats being compound time as I thought it was totally random and without a clear system however it's good to know these concrete rules like 2,3,4 beats would be simple time for example. Thanks 😌

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@carlstenger5893]

or...for added confusion, in the 6/8 example: in the third measure, you could use 4 dotted quavers (to replicate the third measure of the 2/4 example).

[@MusicMattersGB]

Yes. There’s more than one option there.

[@darkyangel99]

You are such a great teacher!❤❤

[@MusicMattersGB]

You’re most kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@deskbower]

Amazing explanation, thank you so much!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@marcpeiron_studio]

That was so clarifying. Thank you so much!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@sarahRA86]

Do you have a video on ties vs dots? I’m confused why you use one over the other?

[@MusicMattersGB]

We could produce a video on that topic.

[@olliemeadows6164]

Gareth you truly are a wonderful man

[@MusicMattersGB]

You’re too kind. Thank you

[@EillyYu]

You explained it very well

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. The rest of the course is at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@ryanharris2462]

5:10 4-4 is simple quadruple right? He says simple triple. Or am I missing it?

[@MusicMattersGB]

4/4 is simple quadruple. 3/4 is simple triple.

[@sillo4442]

I don't speak English very well and I understood everything, thanks!

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk where you’ll find our 25 online courses and details of our exciting Maestros programme where you can access two hours of livestream each month plus other perks.

[@rupeshram3334]

very nice explanation sir..to kids, explaining compound timing is very difficult..they understand simple timing in the beginning..

[@MusicMattersGB]

You’re very kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@JoZhang_oz]

Thank for making this video . It helps me understand much better.😀😃😄😁😆😊☺️😇🙂🙃😉😌😍🥰😘😗😙😚😋😛😝😜🤩😻🤠

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.

[@davidalen9279]

superb explanation. 6/8 is then 6 subdivisions of 2 beats...or 2 dotted quarter notes...

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely. That’s most kind. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for our 24 online courses and to find out about our exciting Music Matters Maestros group.

[@Thatoneanimeotaku]

Tysm this rly helped😀😀

[@MusicMattersGB]

Excellent. Much more to help you at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@ariannak6102]

This is great. Thanks!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@scne3175]

My master there is a question if u have time to respond, In 6/8 we divide into twos (beamed with an other beamed) In 3/4.we divide into threes(beamed with another beamed with an other beamed), The question why we dont divide 6/8 just like 3/4,. Is dividing.like that just a definition or there is logic deriving ? Sorry for long.text and for my weak english . from algeria ✌️🌹

[@MusicMattersGB]

Hi. Great to hear from you. There is no mathematical difference but there is a musical difference. In 3/4 the bar is divided into three crotchet beats. In 6/8 the bar is divided into two dotted crotchet beats. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@v.i.p1975]

Thank you this helped me so much

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.

[@subbybliss9729]

Very helpful ... Thanks alot 🙂

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@Better_Call_Raul]

Yes, I hear many people, including some instructors, say that the top number in 6/8 refers to the number of beats -- "We have 6 beats in a measure and the eighth note gets a beat" -- As the video explains, that is NOT true. We always count two beats in each measure of 6/8... Hope I am understanding that right.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely correct.

[@heliusfacenna4109]

Thanks so much, Gareth!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure.

[@sonychippa]

Thank you sir

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@RandyBakkelund]

Is there other compound time signatures besides 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8?

[@MusicMattersGB]

Anything with 6,9 or 12 as the upper number is a Compound time signature - 6/4, 6/16 etc

[@RandyBakkelund]

@@MusicMattersGB Thanks for clarifying that!

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@Hightowerpaps]

Very good explanation. also as a layman, like me, very understandable. Now I'm in front of Beethoven's For Elise. written in 3/8. What's that? simple or compound time. I guess Compound.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Actually 3/8 is simple triple time.

[@phantasm8180]

muchas gracias....

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@SpreadTheLove]

Thank you!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@elsanc4936]

Thank you very much :)

[@MusicMattersGB]

It’s a pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.

[@stevemasilo4963]

Good teacher😊

[@MusicMattersGB]

Thank you

[@pearcup362]

I finally understand what I didn't when I clicked on this video! But, while I was watching, another question arose. What if the top number is 5 or 7 or 11 or something like that? Will it be simple or compound and duple, triple, or quadruple?

[@MusicMattersGB]

Other numbers such as 5, 7 or 11 represent irregular time signatures which are neither simple nor compound.

[@ashton_aviation1594]

Gosh darn that was boring but now I now what simple and compound time is!

[@MusicMattersGB]

Enlightenment is never boring

[@patrickcunningham618]

Thank you

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Hope you’re well.

[@only-legitness]

thanks

[@MusicMattersGB]

Glad it’s helpful. Much more to help you at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@michaelavillarreal]

Would 3/8 be considered a compound time signature?

[@MusicMattersGB]

No it’s a simple triple time signature. Anything with 2 3 or 4 as an upper number is Simple time.

[@tinikadavis6931]

Look for the groupings of dotted crotchets

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@renakmans3521]

How is 4/4 simple triple? Or was that a mistake?

[@MusicMattersGB]

4/4 is simple quadruple.

[@ankitakumar1039]

Great video! I've been struggling with hearing the difference between compound duple and simple triple, because I keep hearing 1-2-3, 1-2-3 for compound duple. Do you have any tips for this and just listening for meter in general?

[@MusicMattersGB]

Adjust your thinking in compound duple so you focus on two beats per bar. It will transform the expressive impact.

[@karenkwashie8291]

I'm still not getting this whole time signature thing I've watched all your videos on it but still Your videos have been so helpful but time signatures is sth I'm still not seeming to understand

[@MusicMattersGB]

Stick with it. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@ryananthony4840]

What about 7/8?

[@MusicMattersGB]

7/8 is an irregular time signature so sits outside the regular simple and compound time signatures.

[@ryananthony4840]

@@MusicMattersGB gotcha, thank you!

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@johnmac8084]

You don't use the term triplets?

[@MusicMattersGB]

I do when notes are genuinely triplets, not to be confused with groups of three notes in Compound Time that are natural divisions of the beat as opposed to groups of three in Simple Time that are genuine triplets.

[@johnmac8084]

@@MusicMattersGB OK, thanks for clarifying

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@javierguerrero9486]

I find it very confusing when music instructors end up playing the melody with complex articulations and added octaves from what is actually on the sheet music. It doesn’t help the student catch the “difference” if you don’t play the two pieces the same way. Why not just stick to the simple melody on the sheet music?

[@MusicMattersGB]

Sometimes the added chords help to hear the impact of the time signatures but in this video I present the melody alone as well as with accompaniment.

[@tomkot]

Good explanation except you didn't mention what's the point of using it. The only point is to make it easier to read in sheet notation. Exactly the same melody that you wrote in 6/8 notation can be written in 2/4 notation as well, the only difference is that then it would look more complex in sheet notation.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s certainly one of the points. Perhaps the more significant point is that Simple and Compound time have very different feel because of the natural division of the best into 2 or 3.

[@ian1352]

I'm rather looking for an explanation of what appears to be an arbitrary rule about the upper number.

[@MusicMattersGB]

In Simple time the upper number tells you how many beats per bar ie 2,3,4. In Compound time it tells you how many units per bar then divide by three to establish the beats ie 6,9,12 divide to give 2,3,4 beats. After that the upper number represents an irregular time signature.

[@cursedswordsman]

Makes no sense. Why do you say, in 6/8, that the dotted quarter note is 1 beat? You just randomely define that then say a measure has 2 beats. Why didn't you just say a quarter gets the beat and you have 3 beats in a measure?

[@MusicMattersGB]

There are two types of time signature - simple and compound. Simple beats naturally divide in 2; compound beats naturally divide in 3. So in 6/8, which is compound, we divide the bar into two beats each comprising three eighth notes. If you divide a 6/8 bar into three quarter notes it becomes 3/4.

[@cursedswordsman]

​@@MusicMattersGB So no reason, we just "define" 6/8 to be "compound" and therefore try to divide into groups of 3 eight notes? Thanks for responding.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Any time signature with 2,3 or 4 at the top is simple; any time signature with 6,9 or 12 at the top is compound. There are two different kinds of time with two distinct musical impacts.

[@earthwormchewer170]

Jesus Christ loves you!

[@MusicMattersGB]

And you