Of Triple Meter, Triplets and
Triple Subdivisions (Compound Time)
Last
time we learned the ins and outs of Simple Meter (duple subdivision). I
mentioned at the end of class that there is another way to divide the beats,
namely into three. This World of Three is actually called Compound Time.
I will build up to it slowly since it really is a combination of duple
and triple rhythmic organization at different levels or layers. We will
look first at Triple Meter since our duple "rules" apply, then we'll see
what it's like to have a momentary emphasis on threes in an otherwise duple
context (called triplets) and finally, we'll go whole hog into triplet
subdivision with compound time. Hold on to your hats!
I)
Triple meter = a simple matter, I mean meter of threes
-Duple
subdivision of three beats
-
3/4, 6/2, 3/2, 6/4 e.g.s
-There
are three main pulses to
each measure thus the triple meter name.
-
Each beat is divided into twos though
-
E.g.s of dance forms in Triple Meter: Waltz, Minuet, Sarabande
-
They can be fast or slow which adds to the confusion of what is the subdivision
-
The faster they are the more they tend to sound compound.
II)
Triplets
-
a triplet is a triple subdivision
of a beatin an otherwise duple context.
-
ìNot Dif-fi-cultî is a verbal way to put two and three together. Small
polyrhythm
-
A triplet is marked with a '3' above or below it, for clarity
-
See examples of triplets in Haydn, Mozart or Mendelssohn
-
After awhile they are cumbersome to write so composers go back to duple
or rewritethe time signature for
compound time
-Hand
Jive two against three
III)
Compound Time = triple subdivision
-
final on-going threes with a duple division of the measure.
-
when the subdivision is three the division below that reverts to two.
-6/8
is two threes of 8th notes but each eighth is divided into two 16ths.
-
6/8 is 2/4 with beats divided into threes.
-
9/8 is3/4 with beats divided into
threes.
-Waltz,
Gigue and Tarantella.
Question:12/8is__________in
duple world?
15/8
is__________in
duple world?
-
often very fast. Gives the music an on-going sense of energy. A favorite
of Beethoven and other Romantics. See e.g.s in class.
-
play the Pat Methany example from Still Life Talking