Question 1

How do you count 7/8?

Accepted Answer

ONE two THREE four FIVE six seven — groups of 2 + 2 + 3. Count it slowly at first with the accents, and once the pattern sits, feel it as short-short-long. Some tunes use 3 + 2 + 2 instead; the accented click here is the 2 + 2 + 3 version.

Question 2

Where do the accents fall, and can I change them?

Accepted Answer

This page opens with the accents already placed for 7/8: on beats 1, 3, 5. The accented click is higher and louder. Choose another number of beats under the tempo to change the pattern — the first beat of each bar is then accented — or switch to Drums to hear the accents as kick and snare.

Question 3

What tempo should I set for 7/8?

Accepted Answer

The BPM here counts every click, so in a compound meter like 6/8 the number is eighth notes a minute, not dotted quarters. A comfortable start is 90 to 120 clicks a minute; drag the slider or tap the tempo to match the piece you are working on.

7/8 metronome — 7 beats a bar, accents where they belong

Counting 7/8

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