Composing in 11/8... How to group?

How do you group music in 11/8 ?

1234 1234 123? or what?

Thanks,

Chris

all "8" meters should be in groups of 3 and 2, never 4. (I'm sure someone will protest, though...)

So:

123 123 123 12 & 123 12 123 123 are both good choices.

To be honest, though... it's much easier to both perform and conduct in mixed 5/8 and 6/8 (first example is 6/8 + 5/8, second is 5/8 + 6/8) since that's how the meter will feel.

You could also try 123 12 12 12 12 or 12 12 12 12 123.

I'd say it matters how YOU plan on working within the time sig. Does your melody imply subdivisions?

Eitherway, the first grouping that came to MY mind was:

12 12 123 12 12

I'm just weird like that though...

:whistling:

AS flint said subdivision is 2's and 3's. So Robin's example would be a 7/8+4/8 example. You can also notate it 11/8 if the rhythmn alterates between the above and flints example of 5/8+6/8. Be sure though the music makes these differences clear.

As a sidenote -

You will not run into this problem with 11/8 but there are instances where you alternate quickly between a 6/8 and 2/4 feel or other meters with alternating dotted quarters and quarters or larger units of 2 and 3. This would have to be notated with alternating time signatures. Actually there is a great example of this in Beethoven's 3 rd movement of his Krueter Sonata for violin and piano.

Thanks!

It depends on your phrasing. I wouldn't group more than four.

all "8" meters should be in groups of 3 and 2, never 4. (I'm sure someone will protest, though...)

So:

123 123 123 12 & 123 12 123 123 are both good choices.

To be honest, though... it's much easier to both perform and conduct in mixed 5/8 and 6/8 (first example is 6/8 + 5/8, second is 5/8 + 6/8) since that's how the meter will feel.

You could also try 123 12 12 12 12 or 12 12 12 12 123.

Hitting the nail on the head, as usual. :cool:

i know im weird, so you dont have to listen to me, but if i were you i would do 123 12 123 12 1. so its basically 5/8 5/8 1/8.