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Glite Dictionary
quadruple time

quadruple time

6.6
A way of counting music in groups of four beats
  • noun
  • /kwɑːˈdruːpəl taɪm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : compás cuaternario
  • The song is written in quadruple time.
  • triple or quadruple time

Examples

  • The song is written in quadruple time, so we clap four times for each measure.

  • Can you play this piece in quadruple time?

  • Many modern pop songs are written in quadruple time for easy dancing.

  • The conductor emphasized the strong first beat of each bar in quadruple time.

  • The waltz is typically in triple time, while the march is in quadruple time.

  • When composing, she prefers using quadruple time to create a steady rhythmic flow.

  • In the concert, most of the pieces were performed in quadruple time, allowing everyone to dance along easily.

Synonyms

four-four time
vsquadruple time
  • Specialized
1 3.8

A musical beat pattern with four beats in each bar

focuses on the four beat structure without naming the beat unit
common time
vsquadruple time
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A beat pattern in music with four beats in each bar, often shown as C

describes the same four beat measure without reference to notation
common measure
vsquadruple time
  • Specialized
4.6

A time pattern in music with four beats in each bar

is the neutral term for the same four beat rhythm

Surface Forms

quadruple time singular
quadruple times plural

Morphology

quadruple + time

The meaning 'a musical rhythm with four beats per measure' is directly derivable from combining 'quadruple' (fourfold) with 'time' (metrical pattern), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE. This follows standard descriptive compounding in musical terminology and has clear cognates or analogous constructions cross-linguistically, making it immediately comprehensible to B1 learners.

Etymology

Quadruple time is a musical phrase that means a rhythm with four 'beats' in each bar. Here quadruple means four and time means the rhythm, so imagine marching or dancing while you count 1-2-3-4 and step on the strong first beat; that's why it describes music made in groups of four beats.