Time Signatures - Simple and compound time
A TIME SIGNATURE consists of two numbers. The top number tells how many beats per bar, while the bottom number shows the value of each beat. The bottom number in any time signature can only be a note, e.g., quarter note, eighth note etc.
4 - this represents 4/1. which indicates the number of beats per bar (4)
4 - this represents 1/4, which indicates that the beats are quarter notes (crotchets).
Simple Time
SIMPLE TIME occurs when the beat falls on undotted notes (quarter notes, half notes, eighth notes etc.) and thus every beat is divisible by two. In * time the basic beat is a quarter note, which can be split into groups of two thus:
Other common examples of simple time are %, ^ and , % time indicates 2 quarter note beats per bar, ^ time indicates 3 quarter note beats per bar, and time indicates 3 eighth note beats per bar (rhythmically similar to ^ time).
Compound Time
A beat can also occur on a dotted note, making it divisible into groups of three. This is called COMPOUND TIME.
The most common examples of compound time are ) and +. The interpretation of these time signatures is different from those of simple time. ) represents 6 eight note beats per bar. It can also represent 2 beats per bar, i.e., 2 dotted quarter notes. This is calculated by dividing the top number by 3, to get the number of beats per bar (6 - 3 = 2); and dividing the bottom number by 2 (8 - 2 = 4) to get the type of dotted note receiving 1 beat. This results in a different rhythm feel for compound time. Compare ) to ^ time, where they both can obtain 6 eighth notes in a bar.
Rudiment No. 5
The Flam Accent
This rudiment is generally played in ) time, but again can also be played in % time or for rock in * time. In % and * time it will be played as a triplet.
Rudiment No. 6
The Flamacue
This rudiment combines both the flam technique and accents.
