Many Ballads and Blues songs are written in twelve eight time (+). This means there are twelve eighth note beats in each bar. A bar of eighth notes in twelve eight time sounds the same as a bar of triplets in four four time. Although there are twelve individual beats which can be counted, twelve eight time is usually still counted in four.
One of the main reasons for using the twelve eight time signature instead of * is that it becomes easier to count when the eighth notes are subdivided. Since there is a count number on each eighth note, sixteenth notes can be counted as + (and), as demonstrated in the following example. These sixteenth notes may be played straight or swung. On the CD they are played straight.
One sixteenth note can be divided into two thirty second notes. The example below demonstrates 32nd notes in ) time, which is equivalent to half a bar of + time.
Here is a solo in + time demonstrating dynamics and a variety of expressive techniques. Some of the rhythms may look scary, but it is played slowly. If you have trouble with the timing or expressions, listen to the CD and imitate what you hear.