6/8 time
Two dotted beats
6/8 time is a musical meter with six beats per measure, each beat an eighth note.
The beats naturally group into two sets of three, giving the rhythm a lilting, compound feel distinct from 3/4 time's simpler waltz pattern.
Common in jigs, barcarolles, and many folk songs: The Irish jig was written in 6/8 time.
- compound meterRhythm with subdivided beats
- waltzDance in three-quarter time
- slow danceGentle paired swaying
- compoundCombined into one
- liltRhythmic speech quality
barcarolle · sea shanty · jig · Irish jig · tarantella · sway · gentle sway · triplet · dotted · gigue · rhythm · dance · flowing · pastoral · meter · beat · swing · Irish
- rhythmbeat, pulse, tempo, downbeat, upbeat
- compound metergigue, jig, Irish jig, slip jig, tarantella
- dance rhythmswaltz, tango, foxtrot, salsa, rumba
- Triple Meterwaltz, minuet, mazurka, triple meter, sarabande
- Afro-Peruvian MusicAfro-Peruvian, cajon, zapateo, African heritage, African diaspora