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Emily C., California

Yes, because in a 6/8, the downbeats would be on 1 and 4, hence three 8th notes are in a group.
(In a 2/4 or 4/4 time signature, 8th notes are actually more commonly seen in groups of 2 than in groups of 4.)

Emily C., California

Robin T. A triplet is actually in the music book in the beginning melody for “Amazing Grace”, if in case you want to use that to teach students^_^

Ian B,. California

Short answer: YES. The song rhythm is in cycles of 3. I suppose you could transcribe it in 3/4, but then you’ll be contending with LOTS of dotted quarter notes. Not terrible but more complex imo.

Long answer…

RR covers “cycles of 4” and “cycles of 3.” I’ve always found it interesting and helpful that an actual time signature is not introduced until MOR 11.1 (Ties). While I think it wouldn’t hurt to have some 6/8 and 12/8 MOR, they aren’t really necessary as long as teachers have discussions about cycles of 3 vs cycles of 4. It’s been quite easy for me to introduce students to 6/8 time signature by just getting them every measure can be reduced to two cycles of three.

There are also multiple examples in RR of eighth notes being grouped differently to move students away from the “doubles” association (see MOR 2.1-6 and 14.5 for examples).

By the time we arrive at “Travelers Tale”, the ninth song in TFMM, most of my students have already encountered 6/8 and 12/8 time signature at least in their accompaniment selections, if not via songs like Greensleeves as you mentioned.