Beats in threes
A beat that divides into three
In simple time each beat divides into two. In compound time each beat is a dotted crotchet, and it divides into three quavers. So holds six quavers but is counted in two beats, one for each group of three.
Quick check
In , how many quavers make one beat?
6/8, 9/8 and 12/8
The top number counts quavers. Divide it by 3 for the beats: two, three or four dotted crotchets.
Learn these by heart
| Time signature | Beats | In crotchets |
|---|---|---|
| | 2 dotted crotchets | 3 |
| | 3 dotted crotchets | 4 and a half |
| | 4 dotted crotchets | 6 |
Quick check
How many dotted crotchet beats fill a bar of ?
Remember
- Compound time: each beat is a dotted crotchet, three quavers.
- Divide the top number by 3: 6/8 has 2 beats, 9/8 3, 12/8 4.
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