Training›Rhythm›Time Signatures›3/8

Irregular meter · 3 beats per bar

3
8

Three quick 8th-note beats. Like a fast 3/4 — light and dancing.

Accent pattern

STRONG · weak · weak

3/8
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BPM160

About 3/8 time

3/8 has three 8th-note beats per measure. It's structurally like 3/4 but uses the 8th note as the beat unit, making everything feel faster and lighter. Found in fast baroque dances and some folk traditions. At moderate tempos it can feel very similar to 3/4, but the notation (and often the tempo) makes clear it should feel quick and fleet.

Practice levels

Level 1
Beginner
Simple quarter-note patterns, consistent tempo
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Level 2
Intermediate
8th-note variations, slight tempo range
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Level 3
Advanced
Syncopation and rests within the meter
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Level 4
Expert
Complex fills, wide tempo range, mixed patterns
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Famous examples in 3/8

Various Baroque Dances

Bach/Handel

Quick 3/8 courantes

Tarantella

Traditional Italian

3/8 at high speed

Easily confused with

3
4

3/4

Same accent pattern but 3/4 has slower, heavier beats (quarter notes)

6
8

6/8

Two bars of 3/8 can feel identical to one bar of 6/8

All time signatures

4/43/46/82/45/47/812/89/82/25/87/43/8