Descriptions of Simple and Compound Meter

Top number = number of beats per measure

Bottom number = beat value

(beat division = 1/2 beat value)

Meter descriptions, by top number

2 - simple duple

3 - simple triple

4 - simple quadruple

Top number = 3 x number of beats per measure

Bottom number = beat division

(beat value = 3 x beat division value)

Meter description, by top number

6 - compound duple

9 - compound triple

12 - compound quadruple