compound time

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compound time. Each beat in a measure consists of a dotted note or its equivalent (in contrast to simple time where each beat consists of a complete note). Can be duple, triple, or quadruple, each related to corresponding simple time. Thus 3/4 (simple triple) has 3 quarter-note (crotchet) beats to a measure; 9/8 (compound triple) has 3 dotted quarter-note (crotchet) beats. So called because a measure is made up of a mixture (or compound) of 2, 3, or 4 main beats, each beat having 3 subdivisions. See also simple time and time signature.

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