Six notes, two different balances

Listen for the grouping, not the total

Both bars contain six eighths at the same spacing. In the first, tap three groups of two. In the second, tap two groups of three. Their displayed BPM differs because the counted pulse unit differs.

● attack · — hold · · silence. The quiet high click is the pulse.

In the second example, how many main pulses did you feel?

The bottom number names a unit, not always the beat

In 6/8, six eighth-note units fill the bar. In its usual compound feel, three of those units make one dotted-quarter beat. Count 1 la li 2 la li.

Simple meter divides its beat in two; compound meter divides its beat in three. 3/4 is simple triple, while 6/8 is compound duple. Their grouping matters more than the fact that both hold six eighths.

Match meter to its usual main pulse

Tap something on the left, then tap what it pairs with.

Place the two main attacks in 6/8

Use the first position of each three-part group. Keep the other four positions empty.

Takeaways

• Equal total duration does not imply equal grouping.
• In ordinary 6/8, the dotted quarter is the main beat.