A compound time signature is where the beat falls on a dotted note which means the beat is divisible by three. This is different to simple time (e.g. 3/4, 4/4, 5/4 etc.) where each beat is a crotchet (quarter note) which is normally subdivided by multiples of two.

Simple Time

Compound Time

Because dotted notes are native to compound time signatures, triplets can be written without having to include the number 3 or the bracket.

The following three compound time signatures are used the most frequently:

6/8

This rhythm has two beats per bar.

9/8

This rhythm has three beats per bar.

12/8

This rhythm has four beats per bar.

12/8 is like 4/4 divided into triplets. It could be counted:

1 2 3 2 2 3 3 2 3 4 2 3

or

1 and a 2 and a 3 and a 4 and a

12/8 can sound the similar to 6/8. The only difference is how long you decide to make each bar in the same way that 2/4 and 4/4 can sound similar.

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