How does compound time differ from simple time?

It is relatively easy to distinguish between simple and compound time signatures. A time signature is compound if the top number is greater than three and can be divided by three. Any time signature where the top number is equal to three or is another number that can't be divided by three is simple. read more

One way of understanding the difference between simple and compound time is this: in simple time, the beat can be divided into 2. So a minim beat can divide into 2 crotchets, a crotchet beat into 2 quavers, a quaver beat into 2 semiquavers and so on. However, in compound time, the beat is divided by 3. read more

Simple time signatures are the easiest to count, because a one-two pulse in a piece of music feels the most natural to a listener and a performer. Common examples of simple time signatures are 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 3/8, and 2/2. read more

The Difference Between Simple and Compound Time Signatures Subdivision of the Beat. All of the rhythms you have learned so far have been in simple time signatures. A simple time signature subdivides each beat into two parts. It is also possible to have a time signature where each beat is subdivided into three parts. read more