Compound: In compound time signatures, the beat is broken down into three-part rhythms. The top number is evenly divisible by 3, with the exception of time signatures where the top number is 3. Also, each beat is divided into three components, creating a one-two-three pulse.

Which is a compound time signature?

In compound time signatures, each beat is divided by three into equal groups of dotted notes, such as 6/8, which contains two dotted quarter note beats, or 9/4, which contains three dotted half note beats. For example, instead of 7/8, you could show an additive time signature of 2+3+2/8.

Is 3/8 a compound time signature?

Here we have the equivalent of three quavers (eighth notes), so it is simple triple time, with a quaver beat (eighth note beat). (Notice that 3/8 is simple time, not compound, even though the lower number is 8.

Common time: 4/4 meter

The most common meter in music is 4/4. It’s so common that its other name is common time and the two numbers in the time signature are often replaced by the letter C. In 4/4, the stacked numbers tell you that each measure contains four quarter note beats.