How To Count 6/8 Time Signature | 6/8 Time Explained!!!!

[@DR-nh6oo]

Playing music is one skill, teaching is a whole other, thank you for so generously sharing this knowledge in such an accessible way!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Of course! :)

[@omnipop4936]

It's amazing how, at 5:36, if you just concentrate on the piano melody, both the 3/4 and the 6/8 sound identical. But when you concentrate on the _percussion,_ you feel the difference. In the 3/4 section, the percussion is going "ONE-two-THREE-four-FIVE-six, ONE-two-THREE-four-FIVE-six", whereas in the 6/8 section, it's going (as you said earlier) "ONE-two-three-FOUR-five-six, ONE-two-three-FOUR-five-six". So, just remember "1,3 and 5" for 3/4 and "1 and 4" for 6/8. Awesome.

[@spacialawareness]

thank you so much for this, I thought I wasn’t hearing it right or something but when you pointed out the percussion I noticed immediately

[@bart_r6703]

Yes, I noticed that too. But that's exactly my problem. What if there is no percussion (needed) and you solely want to play a piece of piano sheet music? Then it wouldn't matter, right? Unless you place emphasis on the proper beats when pressing the keys. But in this example the melody is played in neutral fashion.

[@illuminotme4261]

Simple and to the point. I've asked good drummers that couldn't explain this to me. Thanks.

[@MusiciansAddition]

You're welcome! Glad I was able to help!

[@billboggs1943]

i AGREE

[@skottyo]

Please only speak to great drummers.

[@TheStratman007]

Thank you for the refresh. It had been 47 years since I minored in music. I had a nasty accident that affected my ability to play the guitar and violin. I picked up the bass guitar and needed to be refreshed on 6/8 time. I am very grateful; my thanks again.

[@MusiciansAddition]

I'm glad I could help & I'm glad to hear you're getting back into music!

[@BTV.88]

So, I’ve been playing for years now. Self taught. Tabs were fine for awhile, but now that I’m writing my own music fundamental theory has become a must. Point is, I have watched idk how many videos looking for an explanation of counting/differentiating between time signatures and this video actually made it really click for me. Thank you! This concise, informative video is just what I was looking for

[@MusiciansAddition]

Wonderful to hear! Glad I could help!!!

[@mummak9301]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've been trying to help my 9 year old understand the 6/8 time signature for his viola practise. I have no musical background and your clear, concise explanation helped me to understand. Helping him will now be a lot easier. Excellent.

[@MusiciansAddition]

Wonderful! I'm so glad I could help!

[@curtpiazza1688]

Wow...you covered a lot in 7 min! I like how you included the musical examples as well as the conductor s hand motion. Love the T shirt too!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! So glad I could help! & it is important to know how the conductor directs so you can follow along.

[@crazychase443]

This was such a great explanation and also well made video! thank you!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! & glad I could help!

[@darlenenorris7768]

I took piano lessons for several years as a kid, but I never understood time signatures! Now that I'm learning to play the dulcimer, I really need to understand this. Thank you for the clearest explanation I've ever seen!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Wonderful! Glad I could help!

[@cathacks420]

Thank you! I’ve been playing 6/8 time for years but I’ve always used the “just count 3/4” hack. Decided to finally learn it. Big help!!

[@MrsLee-hr7yu]

I love your shirt! Thanks for a great video to explain the difference between 3/4 and 6/8

[@MusiciansAddition]

Glad I could help!

[@cosinex8361]

This is a great explanation video! Although I am beyond this point in my music journey, I can tell that this is easy to follow and you did well explaining 6/8. I had a solo a few months ago, which was in 24/16 for one part. Much more difficult than 6/8, but I used a similar process of dividing it into 8 groups of 3 sixteenth notes

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! & 26/16 is a gross time signature! Diving can most definitely help though!

[@skottyo]

I saw your solo and you were off by one 16th note. Otherwise it was OK

[@tubularfr]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! MY EYES HAVE BEEN OPENED. This is the first time 6/8 has even come close to making sense to me, so thank you so much 🙏❤️❤️❤️

[@MusiciansAddition]

I'm so glad I could help!

[@reginaseymore1496]

Thank you. I was trying to wrap my mind around the 2/2 signature called alla breve. I couldn't understand it the way someone else was trying to explain it. Thank you. You made it so very simple, and the examples really helped alot. Thank you, thank you.

[@MusiciansAddition]

Glad I could help!

[@whitewalker608]

WHAT A GODDAMN UNDERRATED CHANNEL! I was just starting to learn Altitudes by Jason Becker on Electric guitar. The guy is a child prodigy and wrote this song at 16. The song has tapping, fast sweeps, insane bends, insane vibrato, pinch harmonics, whammy bar, fast picking, etc. I started to learn it and found out the rhythm was off. Turns out it's 6/8 at 113 bpm. Was having a slight difficulty in understanding 6/8 pulse in that song and this video helped me a lot. Very underrated stuff that you're doing. Subbed! All the best! P.S: This song is not going to be easy lol.

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! Yeah, trying to play 4/4 is a song that is 6/8 just won't work. Lol. Best of luck in learning 'Altitudes'! You got it though!

[@pinkcryptodroid7715]

This helped me so much. This video is the best music theory video I've ever watched. I have a theory exam tomorrow and the solfege is full of 6/8 and i didn't know how to count till now. This for sure saved me some points.

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! Glad I could help! Best of luck on your test! You got this!

[@pop-uptheatre7663]

OMG that Happy Birthday example was amazing!

[@MusiciansAddition]

You're welcome! Glad I could help!

[@WiseAli1]

This is well explained, and the examples were very helpful. Thank you!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! So glad it helped!

[@CZ0RZ]

Thank you so much. This helped a ton. Its hard to find a video on this subject that ties in the metronome to the time signature, with a variety of examples of time signatures.

[@MusiciansAddition]

You are welcome! So glad I could help!

[@MusiciansAddition]

You're welcome! So glad I could help!

[@kennywally]

Very simplistic clear way of talking about time this is really great. I wish they taught it to me like this when I was in school.

[@Cateatschips]

First video ever that made me understand what key signatures were thanks

[@MusiciansAddition]

So glad I could help! That bottom number is what confuses people.

[@lapizcultural3542]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I love your T-shirt.

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! & You are welcome!

[@thehunter7192]

Thankyou for your contribution.Sis.❤️❤️

[@MusiciansAddition]

Glad I could help!

[@arbitrarySalamander]

Thanks! Very helpful!! Currently playing a 6/8 tune and I was very confused, thx for the info!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Glad I could help!

[@theodorekorbos2804]

Thank you so much I really need this help you're a very good teacher.

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! & You are welcome!

[@WaluigiPlushBros]

Thank you so much for this video I’m auditioning for a college honor band & one of my excerpts is in 6/8 & I had no idea what to do until I watched this

[@MusiciansAddition]

So glad I can help! Good luck with auditions! 😁

[@makmotions5973]

Thanks for the help!! I’m trying to work on my time for guitar playing and this helped a lot 🙏🏽

[@MusiciansAddition]

Glad I could help+

[@peterlyon5511]

Thankyou for fully explaining this! Saw loads of videos that didn't really say very much.

[@athmajks6768]

This is the best video out there😍🤗

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!

[@lakreishajohnson8029]

Thank you so much. I enjoyed and understood clearly your explanation. I have another way to teach my students.

[@MusiciansAddition]

The more ways the better!

[@tokyo4678]

Thank you for showing this video! Now I can finally play fantasia on the dargason!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Sp glad I could help! Have fun playing Fantasia On The Dargason!

[@soskoaaarsenal8556]

Thank you for this, now I can finally read Breakcore and similar genres

[@MusiciansAddition]

Wonderful! Glad I could help!

[@sirrichter5336]

Bless ur soul for this wonderful video!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you!

[@a.bendang.walling8838]

Worth watching 👍 thank you.. lots to learn 😊

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you!

[@jezza2394]

Thank you so much for this!! Explained it so thoroughly, it has finally clicked!!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Wonderful! Glad I could help!

[@dxzxax8772]

this reallly helped show me the difference between 3/4 and 6/8!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Glad I could help!

[@geetarman513]

Broke on through to the other side thank you!

[@MusiciansAddition]

You are welcome!

[@sylviemariehebert9758]

Ok, I’m sure this is for kids but I finally understand what 6-8 means! (And I’m 52!). So, thank you so much 😊

[@MusiciansAddition]

Glad to help!

[@TimWilliams-y9l]

Great job of explaining this concept. Really enjoyed the lesson!

[@behm2211]

Thank you for the great clip on this topic🙏

[@MusiciansAddition]

You are welcome! Glad I could help!

[@lafemmepapi9484]

Excellent break down! Subscribed midway through the video. Thank you!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! & glad we could help!

[@TheGalaxycosplay]

This is very helpful for one of my paces that I’m playing

[@MusiciansAddition]

So glad I could help!

[@julxa6416]

Thanks! That was really helpful for me!😊

[@MusiciansAddition]

Glad I could help!

[@awesomeangels10]

Thank you so much for the help!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you!

[@jamesanderson5393]

awsome lesson thank you.

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! Glad I could help!

[@heatherhobbs1298]

GREAT explanation. Thank you so much!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Wonderful! Glad I could help!

[@davidm9442]

Thanks for explaining this in such detail! Ur awesome

[@MusiciansAddition]

Wonderful! Thank you! Glad I could help!

[@joannawhaley6588]

Fantastic!! 👏🏽👏🏽 thank you

[@MusiciansAddition]

You are welcome!

[@jbcutie]

At the 5:20 mark, I am really confused as to why the quarter notes in 6/8 time aren't held longer than it is held in 3/4 time since they are 2 beats long. Also the drum beat in the back confused me too. I slowed it down and I noticed that in 6/8 time, the drum beat is on the first note and in between the second and third note. Why?

[@MusiciansAddition]

It's where the beats land. Here's a further explanation on that part. I hope this helps! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZSriaCHgqiWerc

[@javiorellana1]

Easy to understand,awesome Video. Thank you so much 🥰👍👍👍

[@MusiciansAddition]

You're welcome! Glad I could help!

[@1950accordionman]

For those that play jigs the 3 notes in triplets are not even in 6/8 time the first note in a triplet is longer than the other 2 notes, the second note is shorter than the first and the 3rd note is in between, I'm not a classical musician by a long way but if the triplets are played evenly you lose the swing of the jig, in Scottish and Irish 6/8 jigs the triplets aren't marked as equal in the music either, same with pipe music, just thought I'd mention it in case there are some jig players who play for Irish or Scottish dancing, get those kilts swinging, make people want to dance.

[@pallavisreetambraparni6995]

Very useful. Thank you. Need to know the note values

[@joeshleb743]

I'm sure you gave a good explanation of counting 6/8 time, but I still can't wrap my brain around it. I'm starting to grasp the general concept, but I'm still totally lost and confused. Maybe you could play a few lines of music on your primary instrument in 6/8 time and toggle back and forth from 4/4 time to 6/8 time? It might help dummies like me. Thanks!

[@joyceyang6976]

Thank you!! It was very helpful, I finally got it! 🙏😄

[@MusiciansAddition]

Wonderful! Glad I could help!

[@talr5827]

Very very helpful. best vid out there. thank u

[@aqua1199]

I do get how to read 6/8 time and the 8 means the eighth note gets the beat but I have music that says (tempo) 84= dotted quarter note (in 6/8) so what exactly does that mean

[@davidmunoz2041]

I’m just returning back to college and have forgotten and or was never taught half the things we are going over. I’m hoping to find more videos to help grasp lots of this. Need help with meters and divisions.

[@MusiciansAddition]

If you need any further help, just let me know!

[@bladeo3408]

Thanks for the refresher

[@MusiciansAddition]

You are welcome!

[@davidherringgo]

Thanks this helped me to practice my piano lesson.

[@rea1le]

This was awesome! Thanks so much!

[@MusiciansAddition]

You are welcome!!!

[@1958claire]

Thank you for such an easy to understand explanation.

[@max32552]

thankyou this helps so much for my band class

[@MusiciansAddition]

Wonderful! So glad I could help!

[@teacherejhayaeious]

Well explained! Thank you! ♥

[@MusiciansAddition]

You are welcome! Glad I could help!

[@joelflorian1412]

Thank you so much!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Glad to help!

[@clowndaddy]

Oh wow thank you for this video!!

[@apparentlyev7769]

off topic but i love your smile !

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! 😁

[@dwtsn]

you had me at 'Lets go!" :)

[@MusiciansAddition]

I was excited. Lol

[@dwtsn]

@@MusiciansAddition I enjoyed seeing it though. Made me smile.

[@valeriephillips6557]

Can you explain the difference in counting eight notes in both 6/8 and 6/4 measures within the same piece?

[@MusiciansAddition]

Yeah. So in both 6/8 time & 6/4 time, there are 6 beats in the measure, so you would continue to count 1,2,3,4,5,6.... In 6/8 time, the eighth note gets the beat & it's value becomes 1. So if you had an entire measure of eighth notes, you would have 6 eighth notes. In 6/4 time, the quarter note gets the beat & is valued at 1. That means the eighth note is worth half a beat. So now if we have an entire measure of eighth notes, we would have 12 eighth notes! Here's a little visual/audio representation. I hope it help! kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGSrnnuof72ppZI

[@Jaynycgmtp]

Hey, thank you for the vid, So would the half note equal 4

[@MusiciansAddition]

That is correct!

[@Jaynycgmtp]

@@MusiciansAddition thank you so much

[@MusiciansAddition]

@@Jaynycgmtp You are welcome!

[@HuberAllOver]

You are amazing. Thank you.

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you & you are welcome!

[@nancybruney2202]

Great lesson.

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you!

[@nena_gz]

Awesome video❤👏👏+👏👏4.5.6. Takes me back to musicianship class

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! :)

[@ILLRICARDO]

this timing popped up when i was learning rose of sharyn on the guitar, had no idea how to count it as most of the song was in 4/4

[@MusiciansAddition]

Glad I could help!

[@jameslabs1]

very helpful. Thank you

[@neuro-tek]

Haha love your shirt!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you!

[@AndrewLedet]

This was super helpful! Thanks!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Wonderful! Glad I could help!

[@GoobersFurever]

Funny this was recommended to me right after the cut time video because a piece I’m working on right now transitions from cut time to 6/8 hopefully we’ve got this down after these videos

[@KlavierKannNichtMehr]

Just think where the downbeat comes - in 6/8 on 1,3,5. Try with a metronome that signals the downbeat and it becomes clear. The confusion arises because the time signature is also apiece of „grammar“, the notes written in any given bar must obey the time signature - which is different from identifying the PULSE of the melody. So the time signature has a double function. Just playing 6/8 by counting 1,2,3,4,5,6 sounds terrible - because you also have to identfy the downbeat. This is resolved in 6/8 NOT by counting ONE two, three, ONE two three, but by establishing the number of downbeats by division - lowest common divider = 3 - and then spreading them evenly over the notes, i.e. 1, 3,5.

[@kidbrown2010]

I understand that now the eight note is worth 1 beat instead of 1/2.. but I struggle to understand why it sounds different. Does "the beat" change? If I write 6 beats in 4/4 over 1 1/2 measures and then I write 6 beats in 1 measure of 6/8... what's the difference when you play the music? What makes it sound different? Is "The beat" in 6/8 just faster tempo? Is it used for faster music that requires 3 beats where you'd usually place two? So that would mean that the ratio of the beat is 3:2? So that would mean that even though an eight note it's 1 beat it's not really the same tempo as a quarter note in 4/4. That was just newbie brain vomit sorry if I make absolutely no sense. I'm doing the Alfred books and the explanation is very rudimentary. Will watch more videos hoping it clicks. Thanks for the video anyway.

[@GlenLaBella]

I need help setting a metronome to a 6/8 bar. I know the beat is on one and four, but do I make the clicks for 2,3,5, & 6 silent? Thanks!

[@MusiciansAddition]

You just want the click on 1 & 4, correct?

[@fredlawrence7790]

Thanks perfectly explained helped a lot

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you! Glad I could help!

[@generalskull4622]

I’m confused. Shouldn’t a X/8 eight note play exactly like a X/4 Quarter note?

[@MusiciansAddition]

No because the bottom note tells us who gets the beat. So in x/8, the eighth note gets the beat. So x/2, the half note would get the beat. X/4, the quarter gets the beat. X/8, the eighth note gets the beat. X/16, the 16th note gets the beat.

[@Arsaxena]

Pl explain semiquavers notes in 6/8

[@rwandasdahymns8694]

Hey Teacher please show us the bottom number in time signature, where comes from ( Describe by using staff )

[@rakkae2007]

i have a piece that says “• * • * • * • *” • being and eighth note and * an eighth rest. how do i could that..

[@MusiciansAddition]

If the piece is in 6/8 time, remember, the bottom number is what gets the beat, which is the eighth note. So that means you would play each of your eighth notes for one beat & rest for one beat. So 1 (R) 3 (R) 5 (R).

[@TheTom5150]

Does this mean that in 6/8, 16th notes would be counted the same way 8th notes get counted in 4/4 time? The fog is clearing a little bit I’ve still got some confusion

[@MusiciansAddition]

That is correct! 😁

[@TheForgeFunctionalFitness]

Great explanation thanks. How do I decide between 3/4 and 6/8 when writing music though? Without the metronome they sound exactly the same.

[@MusiciansAddition]

Sorry for the late response! For composing, to be honest it's up to you. You can write pieces in 2/4 time and 6/8 to sound and feel exactly the same, it would just look different to the play. Good examples of that are in the link. Go to page 19 and look at the Etude in 6/8 and 2/4. When the player plays, it'll be exactly the same, but you see how it's written differently. vdocuments.mx/rubank-intermediate-method-flute-or-piccolo.html?page=19

[@TheForgeFunctionalFitness]

@@MusiciansAddition Thanks

[@reneer12]

Cute shirt.. and thank you

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you!

[@boatboattmmrp9950]

It’s crazy how a lot of music really is just feel

[@GlenLaBella]

How do I set the metronome to click on 1 & 4 in 6/8 time if it is clicking all the eight notes regardless of the tempo?

[@susanarbuyes6115]

this was very useful thank you😄🤗

[@MusiciansAddition]

You're welcome! Glad I could help!

[@inspirationtalent4416]

Plz tell about 3/8 time signature

[@MusiciansAddition]

Excellent request! We'll get that planned out for shooting. But in the meantime, it'll be similar to 6/8. The eigth note still gets the beat. But now instead of counting to 6, you are only going to count only to 3. This means certain note values can no longer be used. If any note value is above 3, it can no longer be used in a 3/8 composition.

[@eljacobolobo]

I really like that shirt.

[@MusiciansAddition]

Thank you!

[@thomaswilke6312]

Very nice lesson

[@Certainly-somebody]

Great video thanks!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Glad I could help!

[@mangben2493]

Love your shirt

[@streetdrummersinc4387]

Where can i buy the t shirt your wearing?

[@MusiciansAddition]

We have a similar shirt here: musiciansaddition.myspreadshop.com/these+are+difficult+times?idea=61ee0ea8bfd60475a7d308f6 It looks like where I bought this exact shirt is no longer selling them.

[@YoureNowOnTV]

Thanks for making this video. Maybe I need to watch it again but I don't understand what is meant by "The beat" when referring to eight in 6/8 time?

[@Erniethebear]

6/8 time is played as two triplets. If you leave out the middle note of each triplet, you have a "shuffle" beat. Like in Sweet Home Chicago.

[@mmaaiissee1]

Hello Miss: Can you explain that if 3/4 value is three quarter notes, so 6/8 means two eighth notes in triplets, so one triplet is valued 1/3 of an Eighth Note ？？？？