Identifying meter requires that you determine where the beat is ... the "beat" is the underlying pulse one senses when listening to music, i.e., that periodically recurring emphasis to which you tap your foot our clap your hands. It is crucial that you identify a beat that is consistent (periodic), so that they are equally spaced ... NOT a long-short, long-short pattern.
Once you have identified the beat - and, if a duple or quadruple meter, have confirmed that the backbeat is emphasizing beats 2 and 4 - begin to listen carefully to what happens between the beats ... this is how you determine the beat subdivision. You can listen to any instrument - in fact, you should pay attention to all! - but very often the hi-hat cymbal of the drums, the rhythm of chords played on the piano or notes of a riff on the guitar will be your best cue. All you have to do is to determine whether the beats are divided into three euqal notes (triple subdivision) or two equal notes (duple subdivision). There is another common subdivision (especially in disco and dance music) that divides the beat into four equal notes (quadruple subdivision), but for this class - like we did for meter - we will consider this equivalent to duple subdivision. Remember, like beats described above, all subdivisions of the beat must be equal in duration ... like the discussion beat above, you should NOT listen for a long-short, long-short rhythm ... it should be a steady beat and a steady subdivision.
Most rock songs are consistent in meter and beat subdivision from beginning to end; however, as rock developed into the 1960s, you will learn that there are exceptions ... more about that later.
Okay, now that I've given you the basics, I have provided dozens of examples for you below ... each with an animation that tracks the beat (and sometimes subdivision) for you. Develop your listening skills by listening to all of them. Come back and read through the text above periodically, so you will become an expert at identifying meter and beat subdivision. Before you begin, to avoid problems, make sure that you have downloaded and installed all of the essential plug-ins identified on the Plug-Ins page for this site.
The first six examples provide two versions of three songs ... one version is an example of a duple subdivision while the other is an example of triple subdivision. This is intended to give you very clear examples of the difference in sound between the two types of subdivision, since these can be very difficult to hear at first. Keep practicing ... like all skills, with diligent practice, you will get it!!
Duple Subdivision |
Triple Subdivision |
"Only You" by The Platters
(1955)  |
"Only You" by The
Platters |
| "Great Pretender"
by the Righteous Brothers |
"Great Pretender"
by The Platters (1955) |
| "Layla" by Derek &
the Dominoes (1972) |
"Layla" by Eric Clapton
(1992) ** |
**See the detailed discussion about this version of "Layla" on pp. 243-244 of your textbook (7th ed.).
Duple Subdivision |
Quadruple Subdivision |
| "Pressure" by Billy
Joel (1982) |
"Pressure" by Billy
Joel (1982) |
The links below allow you to hear (and see) musical examples that
exhibit several types of meters and beat subdivisions. Simply click on theShockwave icon()
to see & hear an animation demonstrating the meter and/or beat subdivision.
Before you access these files, you will need to make certain that you have installed
the appropriate plug-ins, as described on the "Getting
Started" page.
