In simple meter, each beat splits into two. In compound meter, each beat splits into three.

Compound meter has a rolling, lilting quality. Think of a jig, a lullaby, or the sway of "House of the Rising Sun."

Compound time signatures look a little strange at first:

• 6/8 — 2 beats per measure, each beat is a dotted quarter note (3 eighth notes)
• 9/8 — 3 beats per measure, each beat is a dotted quarter note
• 12/8 — 4 beats per measure, each beat is a dotted quarter note

Wait — the top number says 6, but there are only 2 beats? Yes. In compound meter, the top number tells you the number of subdivisions, not beats. Divide the top number by 3 to get the actual beat count: 6 / 3 = 2 beats. 9 / 3 = 3 beats. 12 / 3 = 4 beats.

The bottom number (8) tells you that the eighth note is the subdivision unit. Three eighth notes group together into one beat.

This is the classic confusion. Both have 6 eighth notes per measure. But they feel completely different:

• 3/4 = 3 beats, each dividing into 2. ONE and TWO and THREE and.
• 6/8 = 2 beats, each dividing into 3. ONE two three FOUR five six.

In 3/4, the stress pattern is: strong weak strong weak strong weak. In 6/8, it's: strong weak weak strong weak weak.

Same number of notes, completely different groove. 3/4 is a waltz. 6/8 is a jig.

There are multiple ways that people count compound meters. The 1 e & a system for counting simple meter is pretty universal, but you'll find lots of variations when it comes to compound meter.

La Li

For 6/8, count: "1 la li 2 la li"

& a

For 6/8, count: "1 & a 2 & a"

Just numbers

"1 2 3 4 5 6" (with stress on 1 and 4)

The important thing is feeling two big beats, each with a triplet subdivision. However you count it, the grouping of three is what matters.

• musictheory.net — Simple and Compound Meter — Interactive lesson that covers both and clearly shows the difference. Probably the fastest way to get this.
• MusePrep - Compound Meters - A straightforward video with musical examples
• David Bennett Music Theory - What's the difference between 3/4 and 6/8? - We've already linked several videos from David in the last lesson, why not one more?
• ACTUALLY, While we're at it...... David Bennett has a whole playlist digging into all sorts of crazy time signatures. All of these vids are pretty great, you'll learn a lot! David Bennett Music Theory - Time Signatures EXPLAINED
• Open Music Theory — Compound Meter and Time Signatures — Open textbook chapter with embedded video examples... you probably don't need MORE at this point, but we wanted to include it for completeness.

Need more?

• Wikipedia — Time signature — Covers the math behind compound time signatures in detail.
• muted.io — Understanding 6/8 Time Signature — Interactive tool that lets you hear and see 6/8 patterns.

Listen for compound meter in music you know. Some examples to start with: "House of the Rising Sun" (6/8), "Norwegian Wood" by The Beatles (6/8 feel), "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica (6/8). Can you feel the difference between these and something in 4/4?

Try counting along with a 6/8 song. The beats should land on 1 and 2. The subdivisions fill in between.