In 6/8 meter, what is the term for the two primary beats per measure?

• A. Simple duple
• B. Simple triple
• C. Compound triple
• D. Compound duple

Answer: (D)

In 6/8 the pulse is felt as two main beats per measure, giving a duple feel. Each of those beats is subdivided into three eighth notes, so the meter is compound rather than simple. Since there are two beats per bar and each beat divides into three, the correct term is compound duple. You’ll often hear the beat pattern emphasized on the first note of each group of three (the first and fourth eighth notes), underscoring the two-beat per measure structure. For contrast, simple duple meters have two beats per measure with each beat dividing into two, while simple triple would have three beats per measure with each beat dividing into two, and compound triple would have three beats per measure with each beat dividing into three.