Compound Meters
When the beat is a Dotted Note and divides into three.
What is Compound Meter?
Unlike simple meters, in Compound Meters each main beat is naturally divided into three equal parts.
Because of this ternary division, the main beat is always represented by a dotted note (such as a dotted quarter). Observe the example below to see how beats are grouped in divisions of three!
2 Dotted Quarter Notes per measure
Why dotted?
Because if a beat divides into 3, the only figure that can represent it is one with a dot.
The Rule of Three
Picture yourself walking in 2 long strides, but on each stride your heart beats 3 quick times. That is compound metre.
In compound metres, the top number is divided by 3 to find the real beats.
6 ÷ 3 = 2 beats (duple)