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Why do 3/4 and 6/8 feel different?

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Meter and grouping

Six eighth-note units need not produce the same accent pattern. A common 3/4 feel groups them as 2+2+2; a common 6/8 feel groups them as 3+3.

Try the two groupings without changing the underlying equal subdivisions. This is a reading exercise, not a rule that describes every accent in every composition.

Example

3/4: ONE-and TWO-and THREE-and. 6/8: ONE-two-three TWO-two-three.

Why do 3/4 and 6/8 feel different?

3/4 → 1 2 3

Try it

How many main beats are suggested by six eighths grouped 3+3?

AnswerTwo dotted-quarter beats.

Related topics

Simple and compound division · Grouping in 7/8 and 9/8

References

Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom

Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom

Subject-expert review pending.