Meter and

Rhythmic
Notation
Metrical Grouping and Meter
Meter series of stressed and unstressed
beats resulting in a sense of metrical
grouping

Duple
Triple
Quadruple
 Divisions and Subdivisions of
the Beat
Simple
Beat is divided into two equal parts

Compound
Beat is divided into three equal parts

i.e.; simple duple / compound triple

Give an example of a simple
meter/compound meter.
 Metrical Hierarchy
Simple Duple Compound Duple
Meter Level | |
Beat Level | | | |
Beat Division | I | I | I I |I I

Simple Triple Compound Triple

Meter Level | |
Beat Level ||| | | |
Beat Division |I|I | I |I I |I I |I I

Simple Quadruple Compound Quad.

Meter Level | |
Beat Level |||| | | | |
Beat Division |I|I | I | I |I I |I I |I I |I I
Meter Signature in Moderate Tempo
Simple Meters
Meter Signature in Moderate Tempo
Compound Meters
Other forms of Meter Signature

Common
Time
4
4 Meter signature notation
conceptualized by
Alla breve Carl Orff and used by
many contemporary
2 composers
2
Guidelines for Rhythmic Notation
Meter signature appears at the beginning of
the first staff; it may not reappear

Instrumental music: eighth & sixteenth notes

beamed in groups of two, three, four, and
possibly six, depending on meter

Choral/Vocal music: eighth & sixteenth notes

beamed according to the text underlay

Keep things clear by notating the durational

patterns so that each beamed group begins
on its strongest beat
Terms and Concepts for Review
Rhythm Metrical grouping
Pulse Downbeat
Beat Anacrusis, upbeat
Tempo Measure, bar
Bar line
Tempo Markings Duple meter
adagio Triple meter
andante Quadruple Meter
moderato Beat Division
allegro Simple Meter
presto Compound Meter
Metrical Hierarchy
Changes in Tempo Metrical accent
accelerando Beat value
ritardando Meter (time) signature
a tempo
rubato
 Self Quiz
1. Quadruple Meter a. Gradually speed up the beat
2. Beat Division b. The rate of speed of the beat
3. 9/8 c. Four beats in a measure
4. Accelerando d. Simple or compound
e. Grouping of beats into regular
5. Dotted note measures
6. Tempo f. First stressed beat of the
7. Allegro measure
8. Meter g. Gets the beat in compound
meter
9. .
h. Compound triple meter
i. Fast tempo
10. Downbeat j. alla breve
 Self Quiz
1. Quadruple Meter a. Gradually speed up the beat
2. Beat Division b. The rate of speed of the beat
3. 9/8 c. Four beats in a measure
4. Accelerando d. Simple or compound
e. Grouping of beats into regular
5. Dotted note measures
6. Tempo f. First stressed beat of the
7. Allegro measure
8. Meter g. Gets the beat in compound
meter
9. .
h. Compound triple meter
i. Fast tempo
10. Downbeat j. alla breve