9/8 Metronome

20–400 BPM, any time signature, five accent levels, subdivisions, swing, count-in, speed and gap trainers.

9/8 has nine beats in each bar, and each beat is an eighth note (that is what the lower number means). In practice it is felt as three beats, each split into three. You will hear it in slip jigs and some ballads (three groups of three). The Turkish and Balkan 9/8 groups the beats 2+2+2+3 instead.

The metronome above is set to 9/8 with the beats grouped 3+3+3: an accent on beat 1 and a medium accent at the start of each group. The tempo counts the dotted-quarter beat you feel (three per bar); every eighth note still clicks, with accents at the start of each group of three. Tap any beat to change its accent.

How to count 9/8

123
456
789

Count every eighth note, stressing the first of each three: “1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9”. Many players say “1-la-li 2-la-li” instead.

Practising in 9/8 on guitar

  • Start slowly: set the tempo where you can count out loud and play at the same time.
  • Strum down on every group start first, then fill in the eighth notes between once the accents feel natural.
  • Add the drum machine for a groove in 9/8.

Common questions

How do you count 9/8?

Count every eighth note, stressing the first of each three: “1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9”. Many players say “1-la-li 2-la-li” instead.

What does the 8 in 9/8 mean?

It names the note that gets one count: an eighth note. The top number, 9, is how many of them fill a bar.

What tempo should I use for 9/8?

Most music in 9/8 sits somewhere around 60 BPM (counting dotted beats); start slower while you learn the accents.

Can I change how the beats are grouped?

Yes. In Advanced, type a grouping such as 3+2+2 under Beat groups, and the accents move to match.

Learn this with a teacher
Live one-to-one guitar classes online, with a free trial.
Find a teacher

Other time signatures

2/4 time3/4 time4/4 time5/4 time7/4 time5/8 time6/8 time7/8 time12/8 time
60 BPM Metronome80 BPM Metronome100 BPM Metronome120 BPM Metronome

Timing tools

Metronome
20–400 BPM, any time signature, five accent levels, subdivisions, swing, count-in, speed and gap trainers.
Drum machine & groove loops
70 grooves from rock and funk to Bollywood dholak and tabla thekas, with fills, swing and an editable pattern grid.
Polyrhythm metronome
3 against 4, 5 against 7 or any two or three layers up to 16, each with its own sound and ring of lights.
Tap tempo & BPM finder
Tap along with any song, or just play, to find the BPM, with half and double time, note lengths in ms, and a click to check by ear.

Metronome · All free tools

HelpFree tools