What is a Compound Meter?
A compound meter is a musical meter characterized by a division of the beat into three equal parts. Unlike simple meters, where beats are typically divided into two, compound meters create a swaying or rolling feel, often used to convey a sense of movement or fluidity in music.
Common examples of compound meter include 6/8, 9/8, and 12/8 time signatures. In 6/8 time, for instance, there are two main beats per measure, each subdivided into three eighth notes, creating a total of six eighth notes. This implies that each measure can be felt as having two ‘feel’ beats with a triplet feel.
The rhythmic structure of compound meters can often be felt as a dotted quarter note (which equals three eighth notes) acting as the fundamental pulse. This unique division of beats often allows for greater expressive possibilities, making it popular in genres ranging from classical to folk and even contemporary music.
Musicians often engage with compound meters by emphasizing the first beat of each group while maintaining a lighter touch on the subsequent beats. This emphasizes the dance-like feel that compound meters can evoke, making them essential in various musical styles.