Each of the 4 beats would be broken up into a triplet. So a measure of 12/8 would be counted 123 223 323 423.
Thank Chris Mood. I think that cleared it up for me . I was trying to think of it as 4/4 times 3. Thanks to all of ya.
I will sit down now and learn Shine on you crazy diamond by Pink Floyd now.
Grog go now! Make noise!