Playing Compound Rhythms
Performing rhythms in compound meters takes some adjustment coming from simple meter, but the concepts for performing them are generally the same as simple meter, and most of the time compound meter has less rhythmic complexity and variety than we tend to find in simple meter. To get the sound of compound meter in your ear, you might begin by speaking the rhythm of "Humpty Dumpty" which is always recited in 6/8 (duple compound) meter.
Similar to how we learned to count and speak eighth notes in simple meter, we have syllables in order to speak the rhythms. In compound meter there are three subdivisions per beat, so we need to add a third syllable in order to speak them. Like simple meter, we say the beat number for those notes that fall on the beat, then we use the word "and" (usually written with a plus sign) for the first division, and "uh" for the second division. For example, in 6/8, we would speak eighths by saying "one and uh two and uh" (written: 1 + a 2 + a). Similarly in 9/8, we would speak eighths by saying "one and uh two and uh three and uh" (written: 1 + a 2 + a 3 + a).
In the first example you see below, there are four measures in 6/8 meter. Count "one and uh two and uh" during the entire four measures and clap only where a note vertically lines up with the syllable you are speaking. Since these rhythms can be performed at various speeds, the examples are given at two different tempos. Pick either tempo, then clap and speak along with the audio until you feel confident you can perform the rhythm alone, then try the other tempo. Once you are comfortable with the first example, try the second in 9/8. Each audio example will loop (with a slight pause) so that you can practice the same example again and again.
70 BPM
96 BPM
Now try this same concept in this 9/8 example:
70 BPM
96 BPM
Besides simply playing the beat unit or the three-note subdivisions, there are two very common rhythms that occur in compound meter. If you master these few rhythmic ideas (with a likely rest or tie here and there), most compound meters will feel easy to perform. The first of these common rhythms is the lilting, long-short (quarter-note/eighth-note), rhythm that forms the main rhythmic figure in "Humpty Dumpty."
70 BPM
96 BPM
And the second common rhythm is simply a reversal of the quarter-note/eighth-note rhythm we saw above, simply placing the eighth note first.
70 BPM
96 BPM
Now that you are likely gaining a sense of how compound meter feels, let's try some more varied rhythms in 6/8. In each example, continue speaking eighth notes the entire time (thinking and counting the subdivision) but only clap when a note lines up with the syllable you are speaking. The audio for each example will have a full measure of beats before the actual written rhythm begins so that you can find the tempo. The audio will loop after a short pause so that you can practice the example repeatedly.
Example 1 at 70 BPM
Example 1 at 96 BPM
Example 2 at 70 BPM
Example 2 at 96 BPM
Example 3 at 70 BPM
Example 3 at 96 BPM
Now try some rhythms in 9/8. As in the previous examples, continue speaking eighth notes the entire time (thinking and counting the subdivision) but only clap when a note lines up with the syllable you are speaking. The audio for each example will have a full measure of beats before the actual written rhythm begins so that you can find the tempo. The audio will loop after a short pause so that you can practice the example repeatedly.
Example 1 at 70 BPM
Example 1 at 96 BPM
Example 2 at 70 BPM
Example 2 at 96 BPM
Example 3 at 70 BPM
Example 3 at 96 BPM
Finally, let's try this in 12/8. As in the previous examples, continue speaking eighth notes the entire time (thinking and counting the subdivision) but only clap when a note lines up with the syllable you are speaking. The audio for each example will have a full measure of beats before the actual written rhythm begins so that you can find the tempo. The audio will loop after a short pause so that you can practice the example repeatedly.
Example 1 at 70 BPM
Example 1 at 96 BPM
Example 2 at 70 BPM
Example 2 at 96 BPM
Example 3 at 70 BPM
Example 3 at 96 BPM