Easily understand the difference between simple and compound time. Learn all about duple, triple and quadruple meters, how to correctly group beats and how to tell if something is in simple time or compound time using this helpful chart. Suitable for candidates preparing for ABRSM Grade 3 music theory. Time signatures tell us how many beats are contained in each bar and which note value is equivalent to a beat. Time signatures consist of two numbers. The lower number indicates a rhythmic duration - 2 is a Minim (Half Note), 4 is a Crotchet (Quarter Note), 8 is a Quaver (Eighth Note) and 16 is a Semiquaver (Sixteenth Note). The number above shows how many of them there are in a bar. Music that has two beats (of any rhythmic duration) is said to be in "duple time". Music with three beats is in "triple time" and music with four beats is in "quadruple time". This music theory lesson explains the difference between simple time and compound time. In simple time each beat could be divided into two. Compound time is the name given when the beat divides into 3. Each 'simple' time signature has an equivalent 'compound' time signature. The important points to remember is that anything with 2, 3 or 4 at the top is Simple time. Anything with 6, 9 or 12 at the top is in Compound time. Many people find the topic of simple and compound time quite hard to understand but this music theory lesson will give you a clear understanding of the two.