A triplet is three notes played in the time of two, so an eighth-note triplet is three eighth notes in the time of two eighth notes, which is one beat. Triplets divide the beat into three equal parts, instead of two, and they give the rhythm a lilting, rolling feel.
What are triplets?
A triplet is three notes played in the time of two, so an eighth-note triplet is three eighth notes in the time of two eighth notes, which is one beat, and a quarter-note triplet is three quarter notes in the time of two quarter notes, which is two beats. Triplets divide the beat into three equal parts, instead of two, and they give the rhythm a lilting, rolling feel, because the beat is divided into three, not two, and the ear hears the three as a group. The triplet is written with a 3 above or below the notes, and a bracket, so the player knows the three notes are a triplet, and they must be played in the time of two. The triplet is used in many styles, and it is the rhythm of the swing, where the eighth notes are played as triplets, with the first note long and the second short, and it is the rhythm of the 6/8 time signature, where the beat is divided into three eighth notes. The G major guitar chord and the C major guitar chord are the chords most players first play triplets with, and the metronome keeps the beat steady.
How triplets work
A triplet works by squeezing three notes into the time of two, so each note is shorter than a normal note of the same value, and the three together take the time of two. An eighth-note triplet has three eighth notes in the time of two eighth notes, which is one beat, so each note of the triplet lasts for one-third of a beat, instead of half a beat. A quarter-note triplet has three quarter notes in the time of two quarter notes, which is two beats, so each note lasts for two-thirds of a beat, instead of one beat. The triplet is a division into three, and the division is equal, so the three notes are the same length. The triplet is the key to swing rhythm, because swing eighth notes are played as triplets, with the first note taking two parts of the triplet and the second taking one part, so the first is long and the second is short. The triplet is also the key to 6/8 time, because the beat in 6/8 time is divided into three eighth notes, which is a triplet, and the bar has two triplets, not six separate eighth notes. The key of C major is the key most pieces are first read in, and the key of G major is the key most songs are first played in.
Worked example — an eighth-note triplet in 4/4 time. A beat in 4/4 time has an eighth-note triplet, which is three eighth notes in the time of two eighth notes, which is one beat, and the count is one, two, three, with the three notes evenly spaced, each lasting for one-third of a beat. The triplet is written with a 3 above the notes, and a bracket, so the player knows the three notes are a triplet, and they must be played in one beat, not in one and a half beats. Now compare the triplet with two straight eighth notes, which are two notes in one beat, each lasting for half a beat, and the triplet has three notes where the straight rhythm has two, and the rhythm is lilting, not square. The I–V–vi–IV progression in C major can be played with triplets, and the count will change with the threes.
How to practise triplets
Practise triplets slowly, counting one, two, three, until the three notes are even and the beat is divided into three, and then increase the speed, one step at a time.
- Practise counting triplets, one, two, three, one, two, three, and clapping on each count, until the three notes are even and the beat is divided into three.
- Practise strumming a G major chord with eighth-note triplets, down, up, down, on each beat, counting one, two, three, and listening for the lilting feel.
- Play the I–V–vi–IV progression in C major with triplets, and listen for the rhythm to feel lilting and rolling.
- Practise with the metronome at 60 beats per minute, and count the triplets out loud, until the three notes are even.
- Practise playing the same pattern straight and then as triplets, and compare the feel, so the difference between two and three is clear in your ear.
Common mistakes
- Playing triplets as straight eighth notes — A triplet has three notes in one beat, and straight eighth notes have two, so playing a triplet as straight eighth notes will make the rhythm wrong, and the beat will be too long. Count one, two, three, and fit three notes into the beat.
- Making the three notes uneven — A triplet divides the beat into three equal parts, and making the notes uneven will make the rhythm lurch, not lilt. Count evenly, and make each note the same length, so the triplet is smooth.
- Forgetting the 3 above the notes — A triplet is written with a 3 above or below the notes, and forgetting it will make the player read the notes as straight, not as a triplet. Check for the 3, and play the notes as a triplet when it is there.
Quick reference
This table shows the three common triplets, with the notes, the time taken, and the length of each note, so you can see the triplet rule working in every row: three notes in the time of two, with each note lasting for one-third of the time of two notes.
| Triplet | Notes | Time taken | Each note lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eighth-note triplet | 3 eighth notes | 1 beat | One-third of a beat |
| Quarter-note triplet | 3 quarter notes | 2 beats | Two-thirds of a beat |
| Half-note triplet | 3 half notes | 4 beats | One and one-third beats |
Use the table to work out any triplet: find the triplet, count three notes in the time of two, and divide the time evenly among the three notes. When you can work out any triplet without looking, you can read any triplet rhythm, in any time signature, without mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
What are triplets?
A triplet is three notes played in the time of two, so an eighth-note triplet is three eighth notes in the time of two eighth notes, which is one beat. Triplets divide the beat into three equal parts, instead of two, and they give the rhythm a lilting, rolling feel.
How do I count triplets?
Count one, two, three, with the three notes evenly spaced, each lasting for one-third of a beat, for an eighth-note triplet, and one, two, three, for a quarter-note triplet, with each note lasting for two-thirds of a beat.
How are triplets written?
With a 3 above or below the notes, and a bracket, so the player knows the three notes are a triplet, and they must be played in the time of two, not in the time of three.
What is the difference between triplets and swing?
Swing eighth notes are played as triplets, with the first note taking two parts of the triplet and the second taking one part, so the first is long and the second is short, while a triplet has three notes, each taking one part, so the three are even.
Can triplets be used in any time signature?
Yes. Triplets work in any time signature, because they are a division of the beat into three, and the beat can be divided into three in any time, whether the time is 4/4, 3/4, or 6/8.