The Difference between 3/4 and 6/8 Time

When students start learning about musical theory, they’ll discover that each composition has a specific “time” to follow.

The most common time in music is called 4/4 time. That means you have four quarter note “beats” to follow when playing.

You’d count that time as 1-2-3-4. It’s simple, straightforward, and easy to learn.

When you start learning more advanced pieces, you’ll discover the time signatures can have several different expectations.

The most confusing of them all are the differences between 3/4 time and 6/8 time. Although they’re technically the same, they are also “technically” different.

Understanding the Difference between 3/4 and 6/8 Time

When a musical composition is in 3/4 time, it consists of three groups of quarter notes. That means it has three beats, which is called a “triple meter.” When the piece is in 6/8 time, you get two beats instead by adding an extra eighth note. That makes it a “duple meter.”

“Duple” is not a typo. When referencing time signatures, the meter sequence follows this order: duple, triple, quadruple, and quintuple.

A few pieces go to six, seven, or eight, although those items are often reserved for pianos, organs, and similar instruments.

Although it would seem like 6/8 time is merely double what a 3/4 time composition offers, there are subtle differences to consider from a sheet music standpoint.

When you have 3/4 time listed for a composition, each sequence contains three quarter notes. That means you’ll have up to six eighth notes to play per measure.

If you imagine the tempo, you will count 1-2-3 with your foot as you play the measures. Should it contain all eighth notes, most music teachers would teach you to say “1-and-2-and-3-and” to count the beat.

When you move to 6/8 time, the pace is visually slower because you get two dotted quarter notes in each bar to designate the beat.

That’s still technically “three beats,” but it gets played differently because you don’t have the quarter note stressors within each measure.

That means 6/8 time is closer to 2/4 time from an actual “beat” perspective.

When you’d count the eighth notes offered in 6/8 time, you’d need to account for the third note in each sequence. Most music teachers would tell you to count it as “1-and-a-2-and-a” to stay at the right tempo.

It’s a subtle shift that creates an entirely different musical effect to consider for the conductor and the musician.

■ Why Does 3/4 and 6/8 Time Sound the Same to Me?

You won’t hear much of a difference between 3/4 and 6/8 time in musical compositions in most situations. It still feels like a triplicate notation, even though the 6/8 time uses the dotted quarter note as its emphasis.

That means you’ll hear more syncopation in the average 6/8 time composition.

Since it is a notational exercise more than anything, you won’t see much of a difference unless you have significant eighth note sequences that highlight the primary beat changes between the time signatures.

When you see a 3/4 time signature in a composition, it is typically used for mazurkas, waltzes, polonaises, and minuets.

Most western and country ballads use this time signature, and it’s sometimes represented in pop or R&B.

The 6/8 time signature is typically reserved for polkas, marches, tarantella, barcarolles, and some rock compositions.

Those differences highlight the duple vs. triple beat found in the measures of 6/8 and 3/4 time, respectively.

What If All of the Eighth Notes Are Grouped Together?

When you see 3/4 time rhythms, the eighth notes often come with a bar that groups them all together. From a player’s perspective, that means the emphasis would be on the first note.

If you saw a similar result in 6/8 time, you’d play the eighth notes the same.

The bar across all of the notes, no matter where they appear on the scale, indicates that the emphasis gets placed on the first one.

That’s how 3/4 time and 6/8 time have a similarity. If you remove the bar across all notes, you’re left with a different emphasis.

It is also uncommon to see six eighth notes barred together in 6/8 time because of its structure.

When you have 3/4 time, you’re getting three beats of two eighth notes each. That means you’ll have three emphasis points to articulate as a musician.

If the composition is in 6/8 time, the rules of notation put three eighth notes into the dotted quarter note phrase found in that style. Adding the dot to the note indicates that it gets extended by 50%.

That means 6/8 time only has two emphasis points for the musician to manage.

Best Metronomes to Use to Help You Keep Time

You need to keep up with the beat whether you’re playing in 3/4 time or 6/8 time. When you’re in a band or orchestra, the conductor is responsible for designating each emphasis point.

If you practice at home, it helps to have a metronome available to keep up with your music reading.

When you use one of these metronomes at home, it helps to remember the compositional rule in music theory for these two signatures. You’ll need three clicks for 3/4 time and two for 6/8 time.

1. BOSS Dr. Beat DB-60 Metronome

When you select this metronome to assist with your playing and practices, you’ll receive several rhythm patterns that let you play along with the equipment.

It offers musicians the chance to create an original sequence with its note-mixing function so that 3/4 or 6/8 time management becomes simple.

You can even use the loop play feature from the instrument’s memory to play repetitive patterns.

When you select the Dr. Beat DB-60 Metronome, you’re getting more than a useful timekeeper for your favorite song.

It includes grooves for waltzes, bossa nova, and much more. It even lets you add sixteenth notes for more complicated arrangements.

2. Wittner Sim Wood Finish Metronome

If you want the best mechanical pendulum timer on the market today, this model is the one to purchase.

When you have the Wittner Sim Wood Finish Metronome, you’ll receive a consistent playing experience that uses the classic tick-tock sound to keep the beat.

What stands out about this model is the bell sound it uses to accentuate the start of each count.

It’s a wind-up model that doesn’t require batteries, but that issue does create a potential weak point if you crank it too hard.

The transparent front cover ensures you’re on the right beat, and you have the option to turn off the bell if you prefer. You’d use the side lever to make adjustments from two-beat to six-beat patterns.

3. Tempi Metronome

The Tempi metronome establishes accurate timing for musicians at every learning level. It provides a consistent result with the traditional design so that you can quickly change the tempo.

The weight grips the movement bar consistently, while the steel gears provide a durable movement experience.

Although the outside of the metronome looks like mahogany, it’s made from plastic to ensure you receive a lightweight product.

When you wind it, you’ll receive about 20 minutes of playback to achieve a longer practice.

If you purchase this metronome online, you’ll receive a two-year warranty and two months of free online music lessons.

4. Wittner 903030 Taketell Metronome

When you want to enjoy the benefits of a swinging arm while practicing 3/4 or 6/8 time on your instrument, this metronome is the best one to have at home or in the classroom.

It provides a tempo range that goes from 40 beats per minute to 208 beats. The device sits within a cabinet so that it automatically blends in with most décor options.

The Wittner 903030 Taketell metronome uses mahogany to accent the tick-tock from the metal components for a satisfying sound. It’s not too loud against your practicing, but it still delivers enough sound to get noticed.

You’ll get approximately 30 minutes per session when wound on the common time signatures for a unit that’s about the size of an iPhone.

■ Why Use a Physical Metronome over an App?

When you search for online metronomes, you’ll find numerous options available to download. Several are even browser-based to avoid the cost of a potential app.

Why select a physical metronome over a software-based one?

Although most app-based and browser metronomes provide the same functionality as a physical one, there are three specific key points to consider.

• When you have a software-based product, your computer could skip beats if other processes interfere with the playback. It works if you need something in a pinch, but the digitized version isn’t as reliable as the physical metronome.
• If you have a cloud-based metronome you use, the ISP bandwidth you receive could interfere with its functions. Should you lose your Internet connection, the beat will disappear entirely.
• A smartphone app allows you to download a metronome for offline use. Although it comes with the advantages of volume control and sound modification, you won’t need to worry about the mobile device deciding to restart on its own.

There’s something satisfying about the sound of a mechanical metronome that the digital options cannot duplicate.

When you see the bar swing in each direction, the action mentally prepares the musician for the next beat.

If you want to avoid the hassle of winding the mechanical metronome each time, an offline digital product like the BOSS DB-60 is an excellent choice to consider.

■ How Much Should I Pay for a New Metronome?

When you purchase a digital metronome, the most reliable products are above $100. Although the cost seems high at first, it’s essential to remember that this device is highly portable.

You can take it with you almost anywhere to gain the advantage of having a referencing beat while playing.

If you buy a mechanical metronome, you should expect to pay at least $50 for a model that provides essential services.

Manufacturers are using plastic instead of wood for the housing today to save some money, which is why the costs are lower than the digital alternative.

Should you want a real wood metronome with steel components, you’ll pay about the same price for it as you would a digital model. That’s why the portability of a product like the BOSS DB-60 is worth considering.

Although you’ll see several metronomes in the $15 to $30 range when shopping online, most of these products should be avoided.

They might work for the occasional practice, but their quality is not where it needs to be for everyday use.

You’d be better off using a free metronome app for the occasions when you need something portable and investing in a high-quality product for your daily practices.

Why Do Composers Use 3/4 or 6/8 Time?

Music is a unique language. It allows composers to provide different emotional expressions that influence the listener in several ways.

I know that when I’m listening to some of my favorite compositions, the music can help me feel inspired, motivated, or melancholy.

When you understand the differences between 3/4 and 6/8 time, you’ll see how composers express themselves with precision. Both signatures provide specific advantages that contribute to the overall number.

Once you learn how to stay with the beat for each one, it’ll be much easier to read the sheet music for your preferred instrument.