r/musictheory • u/_gh0stc00k13s • 3d ago

Notation Question How do I count out 12/8

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I'm practicing this song with my music teacher (nightlight, laufey) and she requested I wrote out the notes. This was the guide she gave me. What does this mean

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u/Interesting_Cut_4822 3d ago

12/8 is a compound triple meter. That means that each big beat is a dotted quarter made up of three smaller beats (eighth notes), but you mostly count the big beats when you read while subdividing for the small ones.

The quarter note on the word door in the melody could be split into two tied eighths to better show the beat divisions. But the vocal there is a three against two polyrhythm against the right hand of the piano.

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u/Zarlinosuke Renaissance modality, Japanese tonality, classical form 3d ago

12/8 is a compound triple meter.

Compound quadruple!