Simple Triple Meter
Recall that meters can be duple (with two beats per measure), triple (with three beats per measure), or quadruple (with four beats per measure) and that in simple meters, the beat divides into twos and subdivides into fours.
A simple triple meter is a meter that has three beats per measure (triple), where each beat divides into two equal parts (simple) and subdivides into four equal parts. For instance, if the value of each beat is a quarter note, then the beat divides into two eighths and subdivides into four sixteenths.
Remember:
In simple triple meters there are three beats per measure, and each beat divides into two equal parts and subdivides into four equal parts.
Counting Simple Triple
Simple triple meter is counted as follows:
| Beat |  ONE |
TWO |
THREE |
| First division |  ONE and |
TWO and |
THREE and |
| Second division |  ONE e and a |
TWO e and a |
THREE e and a |
Try counting the beat first (ONE TWO THREE), then add the divisions (ONE and TWO and THREE and) while continuing to tap the beat on the table. Then you can further divide the beat into four parts (ONE e and a TWO e and a THREE e and a) while continuing to tap the beat.
Conducting in Triple
Here is the conducting pattern for triple meter:
Conducting Patterns - Three Beat Pattern
Triple Meter Conducting Pattern
To conduct in triple meter, start with your hand in a raised position, then bring it down for beat 1 (the downbeat). For beat 2, sway your hand to the right. For beat 3, sway your hand back to the center and upwards to the initial position (the upbeat.) Practice this conducting pattern while counting ONE - TWO - THREE. You can also practice counting and conducting along with the examples that follow.
Time Signatures
The top number in a simple triple time signature is always the number three (3). The most common time signatures for simple triple meter are 3/8, 3/4, and 3/2. The top number in the time signature indicates that each measure contains three beats (one strong and two weak). The bottom number indicates the note value that represents the beat (in this case an eighth note, a quarter note, or a half note).
The examples below will illustrate that 3/8, 3/4, and 3/2 all share the same basic meter type (simple triple). Although different values are used to represent the beat, if the tempo of that beat is set to the same speed (such as the three examples set to 100 beats per minute below), then the meters will sound identical.
Three-eight meter
The top number (3) in the three-eight time signature tells us that there are three beats per measure. The bottom number (8) indicates that each beat is represented by an eighth note. 3/8 is a simple triple meter; therefore, each eighth-note beat can be divided into two sixteenth notes. Click on the music below to hear a metric pattern played in 3/8, then try conducting and counting along.
Simple Triple Meter (Three-Eight)
Simple Triple Meter (three-eight)
Three-four meter
Three-four meter
The top number (3) in the three-four time signature tells us that there are three beats per measure. The bottom number (4) indicates that each beat is represented by a quarter note. 3/4 is a simple triple meter; therefore, each quarter-note beat can be divided into two eighth notes. Click on the music below to hear a metric pattern played in 3/4, then try conducting and counting along.
Simple Triple Meter (Three-Four)
Simple Triple Meter (three-four)
Three-four is a very common time signature. Frederic Chopin's Prelude in A Major is written in 3/4 time. Click on the link below to hear an audio recording (or on the score to see the score played). Remember to conduct as you listen. Note that this piece begins with a pickup. This means that you would begin conducting with an upbeat rather than a downbeat.
Composer: Frédéric Chopin
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"24 Préludes, Op. 28: Prelude No. 7 in A Major, Op. 28, No. 7"
Prelude in A major Op. 28, No. 7
Prelude in A Major Op. 28, No.7
Three-two meter
The top number (3) in the three-two time signature tells us that there are three beats per measure. The bottom number (2) indicates that each beat is represented by a half note. Three-two is a simple triple meter; therefore, each half-note beat can be divided into two quarter notes. Click on the music below to hear a metric pattern played in 3/2, then try conducting and counting along.
Simple Triple Meter (Three-Two)
Simple Triple Meter (three-two)
- Identify quickly and accurately the note values involved in simple triple meters.
- Conduct simple triple meters fluently.
- Count beats, divisions, and subdivisions in simple triple meters fluently.