Compound Meter

Routledge eBooks 2026 Book chapter

View at publisher
Authors: Kent D. Cleland, Mary Dobrea-Grindahl
DOI: 10.4324/9781003605119-6
Cited by: 0

Abstract

Meters are defined in two ways: by the number of beats in a measure and the number of divisions in each beat. In compound meter, the beat is divided into three parts, and the beat-note value can be a dotted quarter, dotted eighth, or dotted half note. The divisions are always beamed in groups of three, and compound meters can be duple, triple, or quadruple. The multiple of the beat is twice the value of the beat-note.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Musicology and Musical Analysis Diverse Music Education Insights Music Technology and Sound Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Routledge eBooks
Pages
113–136
Publication date
23 February 2026
Language
EN
Document type
Book chapter