Final answer:
In a 6/8 time signature, the first beat of the measure is emphasized as the downbeat, and other beats follow with a weaker emphasis, alternating to create a rolling rhythm. Neither of the options provided correctly represents the downbeat or upbeat pattern for a 6/8 time signature.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a 6/8 time signature pattern, the beat that is emphasized as down is the first beat of the measure, and the other beats that may receive secondary emphasis are typically the fourth beat in the pattern. There isn't an 'upbeat' as such associated with 6 or 8 in the options provided. Therefore, options (a) Downbeat: 6, Upbeat: 8, and (b) Downbeat: 8, Upbeat: 6 are incorrect as they misunderstand the musical terms. In the context of a 6/8 time signature, '6' indicates the number of beats in a measure, and '8' refers to the note value that represents one beat, which is the eighth note in this case.
The correct emphasis in a 6/8 time signature would have the first beat of the measure which is the downbeat, being the strongest, and the beats that follow alternate between weaker and slightly stronger accents, creating a 'rolling' feel to the rhythm. So, it's important to remember that in compound meter like 6/8, the beats can be subdivided into groups of three, with the first beat of each group being emphasized. As such, neither of the listed options are correct, but the closest would be option (c), which incorrectly lists beat 3 as downbeat and beat 5 as upbeat, which doesn't fit with the standard practice of emphasizing the first beat and potentially the fourth as a secondary emphasis in 6/8 time.