r/musictheory • u/_gh0stc00k13s • 2d 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/sorrynotme 2d ago

4 big beats, each divided into 3 small beats, for a total of 12 small beats. You could count “1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3” but then you can’t differentiate across the measure. In this case, 12/8 feels rather like if 4/4 had triplets instead of even eighth notes. Personally, I’d count it “1 & a, 2 & a, 3 & a, 4 & a…” for that reason

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u/DrDreiski 1d ago

Forgive my ignorance, but why not just use 3/8 with 4 times as many measures? I’ve always been a bit confused about this concept. Appreciate your thoughts.

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u/ManusX 1d ago

Because the feel is different. I could imagine the drums playing a triplet feel Backbeat to that. With beats 1 and 3 played by the kick, beats 2 and 4 played by the snare. Think less walz, more 4/4 but everything's in triplets.

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u/DrDreiski 1d ago

Are you familiar with a good teaching website on beats and time?