It’s Tricky: Simple and Compound Time

Subdividing Rhthms

A useful technique for practicing music involves taking our knowledge of simple and compound times and breaking down our rhythms to their simplest form. This practice, subdivision, helps with our tonguing on brass and woodwind instruments and helps us to give our notes their full value. The videos below demonstrate subdivision.

Subdivision Exercises

Below are two examples of subdivision in simple duple and simple quadruple time.

Arabian Song duet from Arban’s Characteristic Studies
Here is a video of me subdividing the bottom line of Arabian Song from the Arban’s Method Book.
Angels We Have Heard on High from Christmas Concerto No. 2
Here is a video of me subdividing Angels We Have Heard on High from Christmas Concerto No. 2.

Author: Jean W. Joseph

I am Jean W. Joseph, a fourth-year Media Journalism and Music Double Major at the University of The Bahamas. I am an avid multi-instrumental musician and composer who loves Junkanoo and DJing. I also love cameras and digital art – anything creative will get me. Additionally, I am a voiceover artist and a journalist focusing on Arts and Entertainment with Our News (Cable 12); I use this platform to highlight artists, musicians, and experiences the public should know about. I enjoy storytelling and will continue using my voice to bring light to the stories that are not usually told. My plans include producing movies and short films, radio dramas, and composing popular music and scores for films.