| METER | SUBDIVISION | TIME SIGNATURES |
|---|---|---|
| Duple | Simple | 2/2 2/4 2/8 |
| Compound | 6/8 | |
| Triple | Simple | 3/2 3/4 3/8 |
| Compound | 9/8 | |
| Quadruple | Simple | 4/2 4/4 4/8 |
| Compound | 12/8 |
The meter table lists three different types of meter: duple, triple and quadruple. Each is further subdivided into simple and compound meter and followed by some examples of time signatures.
Meter is a composite term for beat and accent.
Meter and rhythm are often used interchangeably to mean the same thing. Strictly speaking, they are different. Rhythm includes beat, accent AND tempo. Meter is a subset of rhythm and includes beat and accent only, not tempo.
Meter is described in either numbers or words. Numbers are used in a time signature. The words, duple, triple, simple and compound are an alternative to a time signature. Duple and triple are the primary divisions of meter, although quadruple meter is so common it is treated as a primary division in its own right. Simple and compound are the secondary divisions of meter.
