Simple and Compound Time Signatures

What exactly is a time signature and what do we mean by simple and compound time signatures? Let’s examine it all in detail.

How time signatures work

The top number indicates number of beats per bar. The bottom number indicates the value of each beat.

A picture of a treble clef on the music staff. To the right of the treble clef there are 2 numbers. These are a number 4 on top of a number 4. To the right of these two numbers, there are arrows pointing to each of the numbers and an explanation of what the numbers mean.

There are two types of time signatures:

  1. Simple
  2. Compound

Simple Time Signatures

In these type, the beat falls on notes such as quarter notes, half notes, eighth notes etc. Also, every beat is divisible by two. By that I mean, a quarter note divides into eighth notes and eighth notes divide into sixteenth notes as shown below.

note divisions in simple time. A crotchet equals two quavers and two quavers equal four semiquavers.

Thus in the 4/4 (shown below) the top number indicates that there are 4 beats per bar. The lower number indicates the value of each beat. This value is specified as a fraction of a semibreve (or whole note). So 4/4 means that there are four crochet (quarter note) beats per bar.

A picture of a treble clef on the music staff. To the right of the treble clef there are 2 numbers. These are a number 4 on top of a number 4. To the right of these two numbers, there are arrows pointing to each of the numbers and an explanation of what the numbers mean.

Below is the 3/4 time signature. The top number indicates that there are 3 beats per bar. The lower number indicates the value of each beat (quarter notes). So 3/4 means that there are three crochet (quarter note) beats per bar.

A picture of a treble clef on the music staff. To the right of the treble clef there are 2 numbers. These are a number 3 on top of a number 4. To the right of these two numbers, there are arrows pointing to each of the numbers and an explanation of what the numbers mean.

Below is the 2/4 time signature. The top number indicates that there are 2 beats per bar. The lower number indicates the value of each beat (quarter notes). So 2/4 means that there are two crochet (quarter note) beats per bar.

A picture of a treble clef on the music staff. To the right of the treble clef there are 2 numbers. These are a number 2 on top of a number 4. To the right of these two numbers, there are arrows pointing to each of the numbers and an explanation of what the numbers mean.

Compound Time Signatures

In these type, the beat occurs on a dotted note and is divisible by three. By that I mean, a dotted quarter note divides into three eighth notes and three eighth notes divide into six sixteenth notes as shown below.

Note divisions in compound time: one dotted crotchet divides into three quavers and three quavers divide into six semiquavers

The most common compound time signatures are 6/8, 9/8 12/8.

6/8 Time Signature

The top number indicates that there are 6 beats per bar. The lower number indicates the value of each beat (eighth notes). So 6/8 means that there are six quaver (eighth note) beats per bar.

A picture of a treble clef on the music staff. To the right of the treble clef there are 2 numbers. These are a number 6 on top of a number 8. To the right of these two numbers, there are arrows pointing to each of the numbers and an explanation of what the numbers mean.

Counting in 6/8 Time Signature

You can either count 6 beats per bar as shown below:

Counting Six Beats Per Bar in Six Eight Time signature

Or you can count 2 dotted quarter notes per bar as shown below:

Counting two beats in each bar in six eight time signatureExamples of pieces in 6/8

Nothing Else Matters – Metallica

Everybody Hurts – REM

9/8 Time Signature

The top number indicates that there are 9 beats per bar. The lower number indicates the value of each beat (eighth notes). So 9/8 means that there are nine quaver (eighth note) beats per bar.

A picture of a treble clef on the music staff. To the right of the treble clef there are 2 numbers. These are a number 9 on top of a number 8. To the right of these two numbers, there are arrows pointing to each of the numbers and an explanation of what the numbers mean.

You count 9/8 bars as either 9 beats per bar (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) or you can count them as 3 dotted quarter notes per bar.

Examples of pieces in 9/8

‘Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring’ – Bach

Morning Has Broken – Cat Stevens

12/8 time signature

The top number indicates that there are 12 beats per bar. The lower number indicates the value of each beat (eighth notes). So 12/8 means that there are twelve quaver (eighth note) beats per bar.

A picture of a treble clef on the music staff. To the right of the treble clef there are 2 numbers. These are a number 12 on top of a number 8. To the right of these two numbers, there are arrows pointing to each of the numbers and an explanation of what the numbers mean.

You count 12/8 bars as either 12 beats per bar (1 2 3  4 5 6  7 8 9  10 11 12) or you can count them as 4 dotted quarter notes per bar.

Examples of pieces in 12/8

Story of the Blues – Gary Moore

Tin Pan Alley – Stevie Ray Vaughan

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4 Responses

  2. Hi I’m learning medley pirates of the carribean but struggle with counting and get lost there’s 12 quavers in each bar so 12/8. There’s about 9 bars in this piece

    Reply

    1. Hi Kate! The easiest way to count in 12/8 is to divide the bars into four beats. Each beat is equivalent to 3 quavers. So the count would go: 123 223 323 423. Hope this helps.

      Reply

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