7.3 Measure and time signature

In this chapter, you’ll learn about the nine-eight meter and the twelve-eight meter.

1. Nine-eight meter

nine-eight meter

9 beats per measure, an eight note gets one beat; divided into three groups of three.

A nine-eight meter has 9 beats per measure, the eighth note gets 1 beat. Therefor, the quarter note gets 2 beats, the dotted quarter note gets 3 beats, and the dotted half note gets 6 beats.

The most important aspect of a nine-eight meter is the division of the 9 counts. The nine-eight meter is divided into three groups of three.

An example of a piece in nine-eight meter is J.S. Bach: Das wohltemperierte Klavier 1 No. 20 in a minor BWV 865.

2. Twelve-eight meter

twelve-eight meter

12 beats per measure, an eight note gets one beat; divided into four groups of three.

A twelve-eight meter has 12 beats per measure, the eighth note gets 1 beat. Therefor, the quarter note gets 2 beats, the dotted quarter note gets 3 beats, and the dotted half note gets 6 beats.

The most important aspect of a twelve-eight meter is the division of the 12 counts. The twelve-eight meter is divided into four groups of three.

An example of a piece in twelve-eight meter is J.S. Bach: Das wohltemperierte Klavier 1 No. 9 in E major BWV 854.