Artificial Divisions

Review the fundamental attributes defining simple and compound meter. Simple
meter divides the fundamental pulse into two portions, compound meter into three.
At times it is desirable (or necessary) to insert a compound division into simple
time, or a simple division into compound time. This process is called

artificial

division

13

, commonly called

tuplets

.

In a simple meter, inserting a compound division (artificially dividing the beat into
three equal portions) is called a

triplet

and is written thus:

Figure 1.50

Triplets in Simple Meter

Conversely, inserting a simple division into a compound meter (artificially dividing
the beat unto two equal portions) is called a duplet, and is written thus:

Figure 1.51

Duplets in Compound Meter

A triplet may occur across multiple beats in Simple Meter, called a

super-triplet

. In

Compound Meter, a larger tuplet across multiple beats may occur.

Figure 1.52

Super-triplet, Tuplet

Composers have employed many other

tuplet

figures, inserting larger artificial

divisions within beats or groups of beats.

Figure 1.53

Examples of Larger Tuplets

13. Inserting a compound division

into simple time (triplets) or
simple divisions into
compound time (duplet).

Chapter 1 The Elements of Rhythm: Sound, Symbol, and Time

1.4 Additional Information

46