Do you think there is a difference between a 4/4 measure which is notated as four 8th note triplets (meaning each triplet is played in the same time as a quarter note) and a 12/8 measure notated with four sets of 8th notes tied together as triplets? Is it played any differently? Can one hear the difference between the two? I know that for the song as a whole, there is a difference between 1-2-3-4 and 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 within the same time duration and that will sound different.
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One reason I posed the question is when I did a search of sheet music for Row, Row, Row Your Boat, I found versions that are in 2/4, 4/4, 6/8, 12/8. It would be interesting to hear a professional singer sing the song in all the different tempos. (Side note: the reason I was thinking about that particular tune was I thought it would be an easy one to practice triplets ("merrily, merrily, merrily") and maybe even clawhammer).
Great question. I’m terms of melody playing they would sound the same. If you’re strumming though you would usually emphasise the first strum of each triplet giving four pulses in 12/8 time. In 4/4 you would strum as normal - commonly emphasising Beats 1 and 3 or beats 2 and 4.