ABSTRACT
Module 11a: Simple Changing Meter Simple changing meter refers to meter changes that occur between measures with the same beat-note value, such as 3/4 to 4/4 or 6/8 to 9/8. “The Swallow,” an African American folk song, is an example of simple changing meter:
Note that when meter changes are consistent, it is easy to perceive the two meters as one; in the example above, for example, a listener may hear a meter of 5/4 instead of 3/4 – 2/4. When performing changing meter, it is essential to maintain the character of each individual meter, so that that listener can discern the metric stresses.
