The terms we have been studying - DUPLE, TRIPLE, QUADRUPLE - have referred to the number of BEATS in a pattern. When grouped together in music each pattern is placed in a MEASURE (MEASURES are separated by bar lines). A MEASURE with a duple pattern placed in it would have two beats; a MEASURE with a triple pattern placed in it would have three beats. The terms duple, triple and quadruple refer to the number of beats per MEASURE.
The terms SIMPLE and COMPOUND refer to the division of the beat. Each beat in a measure can be divided into two, three, four or more equal parts. The two primary ways of dividing a beat include dividing the beat into two equal parts and into three equal parts.
If the beat is naturally and consistently divided into two equal parts, the term SIMPLE METER is used. If the beat is naturally and consistently divided into three equal parts, the term COMPOUND METER is used. When meter is classified with these terms, the natural division of the beat is the information that is being referenced. The next four examples demonstrate the relationship of these terms to four common meter signatures. Be sure to LISTEN TO EACH EXAMPLE.
