Music Fundamentals A Balanced Approach

Dividing the Dotted Quarter

Use one of the two methods below to count and clap the following patterns in 6/8. Your instructor may prefer
one method over the other—use the method that is assigned.

Exercise 4

Practice each pattern separately. Count out loud, always emphasizing the two main beats.

To the instructor:You may wish to use percussion instruments to give students a more varied aural experience.

Method 1:Count the dotted quarter as the pulse note. (Use the left column.) This method works better for pieces
in faster tempos.

Method 2:Count the eighth note as the pulse note. (Use the right column with the shaded box.) This method of
counting works better for slower tempos and for smaller note values.

199

RHYTHM: COMPOUND METER

h. h.

q.

q

e

x

q.

q

e

x

Dotted half

Dotted quarter

Quarter

Eighth

Sixteenth

= 6

= 3

= 2

= 1

=

= 2

= 1

=

=

=

METHOD 1 METHOD 2

Dotted quarter Eighth note

as pulse note as pulse note