Duple and quadruple metre

Duple metre (or Am. duple meter, also known as duple time) is a musical metre characterized by a primary division of 2 beats to the bar, usually indicated by 2 and multiples (simple) or 6 and multiples (compound) in the upper figure of the time signature, with 2
2 (cut time), 2
4, and 6
8 (at a fast tempo) being the most common examples.

Shown below are a simple and a compound duple drum pattern.

\new Staff << \new voice \relative c' { \clef percussion \numericTimeSignature \time 2/4 \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 100 \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g4 d' } } \new voice \relative c'' { \override NoteHead.style = #'cross \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { a8 a a a } } >>
\new Staff << \new voice \relative c' { \clef percussion \numericTimeSignature \time 6/8 \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4. = 80 \stemDown \repeat volta 2 { g4. d' } } \new voice \relative c'' { \override NoteHead.style = #'cross \stemUp \repeat volta 2 { a8 a a a a a } } >>

Though the upper number must be divisible by 2, the mere fact that 2 evenly divides the upper figure does not in and of itself indicate a duple metre; it is only a prerequisite.

The most common time signature in rock, blues, country, funk, and pop is 4
4.[1] Although jazz writing has become more adventurous since Dave Brubeck's Time Out, the majority of jazz and jazz standards are still in "common time" (4
4).

Duple time is common in many styles including the polka, well known for its obvious "oom-pah" duple feel. Compare to the waltz.

  1. ^ Schroedl, Scott (2001). Play Drums Today!. Hal Leonard. p. 42. ISBN 0-634-02185-0.