6/8 time signature

What is a 6/8 time signature?

A 6/8 time signature is a compound meter in music notation. Here’s what it means:

• The top number ‘6’ indicates that there are six beats in each measure.
• The bottom number ‘8’ signifies that an eighth note represents one beat.

In simple meters like 4/4 or 2/4 where each beat is subdivided into two equal parts, in compound meters like 6/8, each beat is subdivided into three equal parts². This means that in 6/8, we feel the pulse of the music in larger groupings of three notes, even though we count each of those notes as a bea¹.

So, in 6/8 time, we usually feel two pulses, each with three beats in between them. This gives 6/8 a unique rhythmic feel that is often used in faster music, such as folk, pop, and rock.

It’s important to note that the choice of time signature can greatly affect the feel and rhythm of the music. For example, music in 2/4 tends to have a more “straight” or march-type feel, while music in 6/8 tends to have a more jaunty or dance-like lilt, or can have a “rolling” feel1.

6/8 time signature examples

Here are some examples of songs in 6/8 time signature:

1. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals
2. “Blue Ain’t Your Color” by Keith Urban
3. “From the Inside” by Linkin Park
4. “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
5. “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica
6. “Dangerous Woman” by Ariana Grande
7. “We Are The Champions” by Queen

6/8 time signature note values

In a 6/8 time signature, each measure contains six beats, and an eighth note represents one beat¹. Here’s how different note values work in 6/8 time:

• Eighth Notes: These are the basic units of measure in 6/8 time. Each eighth note represents one beat, so there can be six eighth notes in a measure¹.
• Quarter Notes: A quarter note is equivalent to two eighth notes, so it lasts for two beats¹. Therefore, a measure in 6/8 time can contain three quarter notes.
• Half Notes: A half note is equivalent to four eighth notes, so it lasts for four beats¹. Therefore, a measure in 6/8 time can contain one half note and one quarter note¹.
• Dotted Half Notes: A dotted half note is equivalent to six eighth notes, so it lasts for the entire measure in 6/8 time
• Whole Notes: You won’t see whole notes in 6/8 time. A whole note is equivalent to eight eighth notes, which doesn’t fit into a measure of 6/8 time.

How to Play Music in a 6/8 Time Signature

Playing music in a 6/8 time signature involves understanding the structure of the music and the rhythm. Here are the steps to play music in a 6/8 time signature:

1. Understand the Time Signature: The 6/8 time signature tells you that each measure will contain six beats, and an eighth note represents one beat¹.
2. Count the Beats: When playing in 6/8 time, you count as you play to keep a regular beat. You count 1-2-3-4-5-6, 1-2-3-4-5-6, and so on. However, in 6/8, we usually feel two pulses, each with three beats in between them. This gives 6/8 a unique rhythmic feel.
3. Note Durations: Eighth notes last one beat, quarter notes last two beats (equivalent to two eighth notes), and dotted quarter notes last three beats (equivalent to three eighth notes). If you have sixteenth notes, you play two of them in one beat.
4. Feel the Rhythm: The 6/8 time signature has a unique rhythmic feel often used in faster music¹. You can use a variety of rhythms and note values as long as they add up to six eighth notes in a measure.
5. Practice with Music: Try practicing with some songs in 6/8 time to get a feel for the rhythm. This will help you understand how the time signature influences the feel and flow of the music.