Meaning & use
compound time
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountablemusictechnical
A musical meter in which each beat is divided into three equal notes, such as 6/8 or 9/8 time.
Grammar: Uncountable: you say 'in compound time' or 'compound time', not 'a compound time'.
Patterns
- in compound time
- compound time signature
The waltz is often written in compound time, like 3/4 or 6/8.
In compound time, each beat feels like it has three smaller parts.
The conductor explained that compound time gives the music a flowing, triplet feel.
Common combinations
- in compound time
- The piece is written in compound time, so it feels like a dance.
- compound time signature
- 6/8 is a common compound time signature.
- simple vs compound time
- Simple time divides beats into two, while compound time divides them into three.
Synonyms and how they differ
- compound meter
- The American term for the same concept; 'compound time' is more common in British English.
Opposites
Word family
- time signature noun
- The numbers at the start of a piece showing the meter.
- compound adjective
- Made of two or more parts.
Commonly confused: compound time or simple time?
compound time vs simple time
Simple time divides each beat into two equal parts, while compound time divides each beat into three.
Practice
Which of these is an example of compound time?
Choose one answer.
Compound time has beats divided into three, and 6/8 is a classic example. 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4 are simple time signatures.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “compound time”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.