Course 2: Intermediate Readers

Unit 5: Other Meters

Units

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Unit 5: Other Meters
Waltz Time
Treble Clef, Cmaj, 3/4

3/4 can also be called waltz-time. The first beat is very strong with counts two and three being weaker.
Open Exercise
Unit 5: Other Meters
In Three
Treble Clef, Cmaj, 3/4

This exercise incorporates previous melodic skills in the context of 3/4.
Open Exercise
Unit 5: Other Meters
Three Threes: 9/8
Treble Clef, Cmaj, 9/8

9/8 is from the same family as 6/8. Where 6/8 had two beats subdividing into even sets of three, 9/8 just adds a third beat (and three more counts) to create a unique feel.
Open Exercise
Unit 5: Other Meters
More 9/8
Treble Clef, Cmaj, 9/8

This exercise continues the feel of three with subdivision of beats into equal threes. Notice how the beats beam together to show the three main beats.
Open Exercise
Unit 5: Other Meters
Four Sets of Three
Treble Clef, Cmaj, 12/8

Where 6/8 is two beats and 9/8 is three beats, 12/8 has 4 beats that subdivide into three equal parts. When reading 12/8, it takes practice to see the pairing of quarter and eighth notes as something that goes together during one beat since they don't have a beam to connect them together, visually.
Open Exercise
Unit 5: Other Meters
Rolling Along
Treble Clef, Cmaj, 12/8

This is a second example of 12/8. All the meters that divide into three are called 'compound' meters.
Open Exercise
Unit 5: Other Meters
Uneven Beats: 3+2
Treble Clef, Cmaj, 5/8

5/8 is in a class of meter called 'mixed.' The beats themselves are not the same length. In general, performing in 5/8 usually groups the first beat as three eighth notes with the second beat worth only two. It helps to count the eighth notes with emphasis on counts 1 and 4 until you start to get the feel of it.
Open Exercise
Unit 5: Other Meters
5/8 Practice
Treble Clef, Cmaj, 5/8

This exercise continues the feel of 3+2. This time the melody is not subdividing the second beat which may be challenging.
Open Exercise
Unit 5: Other Meters
Looong-an-Short-Short
Treble Clef, Cmaj, 7/8

7/8 follows in similarity to 5/8. This time, the beats are grouped by 3+2+2, where the first beat is longer than the last two.
Open Exercise