Simple and Compound Time
Time signatures fall into two basic categories – simple time and compound time. Simple time is any time signature where the basic beat is divisible by two. E.g., in * , ^ and % the basic beat is a quarter note which may be divided in half to become two eighth notes per beat.
Any time signature where the basic beat is divisible by three is called compound time. The most common example of compound time is six eight time ( ) ). Other examples of compound time would be _ and + . In compound time, the basic beat is felt as a dotted quarter note which can be divided by three.
The Six Eight Time Signature
This is the six eight time signature. There are six eighth notes in one bar of ) time. The six eighth notes are divided into two groups of three.
This traditional American song is in ) time and is in the key of G minor. Listen to the example and notice how the singer embellishes the melody at the end of phrases. Learn the melody and then try improvising over the backing. Don’t forget to use the expressive techniques you have learned (e.g., dynamics and vibrato) when singing a melody even if they are not written as part of the sheet music.
The second version of this song is in the key of E minor, which means it has been transposed down an interval of a minor third from the key of G minor. Transposing means changing the key of a song. This is the subject of the following lesson.
2. My mother she’s a tailor
She sews those new blue jeans
My husband he’s a gamblin’ man,
Drinks down in New Orleans.
3. My husband he’s a gambler,
He goes from town to town
And the only time he’s satisfied
Is when he drinks his liquor down.
4. Now, the only thing that a gambler needs
Is a suitcase and a trunk
And the only time he’s ever satisfied
Is when he’s on a drunk.
5. He fills his glasses up to the brim
And he passes the cards around
And the only pleasure he gets out of life
Is ramblin’ from town to town.
6. Go tell my baby sister
Not to do what I have done
Shun that house in New Orleans
They call the risin’ sun.
7. If I had listened to what my mother said
I’d have been at home today
But I was so young and foolish
I let a rambler lead me astray.
8. Well it’s a-one foot on the platform
And the other foot on the train
I’m goin back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain.
9. I’m goin’ back to New Orleans
My race is nearly run.
I’m goin’ back to end my life
In the house of the risin’ sun.
