All About Triplets – How to Count and Play Triplet Rhythms

Playing triplets is like riding a bicycle. Until we get the feel for it, they’re awkward and difficult.

Then, once they “click”, it’s a joyride.

The question is: how can we get them to “click”? How and what do we practice so we play triplets expressively and musically?

But first, what is a triplet?

What is a Triplet?

A triplet is a type of “tuplet”. And a “tuplet” involves splitting a beat into any number of equal parts. (We call these equal parts “subdivisions”.)

For instance, a sixteenth note splits a beat into 4 equal parts (subdivisions). An Eighth note splits a beat into two equal parts.

Triplets split a beat into three equal parts.

Eighths = One quarter note beat divided in two

Triplet = One quarter note beat divided in three

We may also encounter other, less common, tuplets, such as quintuplets (5), sextuplets (6), and so on.

Note: Eighth note triplets are the most common, and what we’ll be focusing on here. We also discuss other triplets toward the end of the article.

How to Count Triplet Rhythms

It’s helpful to count aloud when we’re learning a new piece, or figuring out a rhythm.

To count triplets, we can use either of two common counting methods:

1. Tri-p-let, Tri-p-let
2. One-trip-let, Two-trip-let

Either will work if you want to count the eighth note triplet. The second has the benefit of naming the beat within the measure. This can help in learning and memorization.

Use Your Mouth (It Helps.)

While it may take some getting used to, counting note values aloud is a powerful tool in practice.

Unless we know what we’re doing, we can’t say the words aloud in rhythm. When we clap and count a rhythm, we must know exactly where we are within the measure. And we must know where each note fits in relation to the others.

When we count silently to ourselves, we often “cheat”. When we become confused we stop counting, often without realizing it. We think we know the rhythm, but we don’t.

For more on counting aloud, take the free 14-day metronome course.

Rule #1: Triplets Are Even

Rule #1 when playing triplets is this: Triplets are even. This means they are of equal length.

Further below, we’ll examine some of the most common mistakes when playing triplets. Most mistakes playing triplets involve breaking this rule in some way.

Tip: Include the Next Downbeat (think 4, not 3)

When we count and play triplets, it’s helpful to include the next downbeat (the next note after the triplet beat).

Instead of thinking of the triplet as three notes, then the next note, we can instead include the next note. This makes four notes, not three.

A common mistake is to pause between the last note of the triplet and the next downbeat.

Think 4 equal notes, with no pause before the 4th.

When we think “forward” in this way, we more clearly demonstrate where the music is going. Short notes usually lead to long notes. So the notes of the triplet “want” to arrive at the downbeat (the note at the beginning of the beat or measure).

As a result, both we and listeners more clearly understand the music. It feels more “right” that way.

Related: Strong Beats and Weak Beats

The Most Common Mistake Playing Triplets

The most common mistakes when playing triplets involve transforming the triplet rhythm into a sixteenth note rhythm.

Instead of three equal subdivisions, we get something like:

The Most Important Note in a Triplet

One note of the triplet has a larger role in communicating the rhythm than the others.

The downbeat (the note at the beginning of the beat), is in the same place regardless of whether we’re playing a quarter note, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, or triplets.

It’s on the second note that we learn of the triplet.

So the placement of the second note of the triplet is the most crucial. When this note is placed with precision, we (listeners) know that the beat will be divided into three.

The placement of the second note of the triplet is the most crucial.

If this second note is placed slightly off the 1/3 mark, the rhythm will too closely resemble a 16th note rhythm.

That said, if we’re not sure exactly where to place it, there’s a trick we can use….

When in Doubt, Stretch ’Em Out

It’s better to stretch triplets out (make each subdivision too large, though still equal) than to compress them.

When we play triplets too fast, we either change the rhythm to example A above, or we get to the next downbeat too soon. This makes the music sound rushed (because it is).

It’s better to stretch triplets out than to compress them.

As blasphemous as it sounds, it’s often more important to communicate the idea of the triplet (a rhythm that “floats” over the 16th note pulse) than it is to be metronomic (in strict time).

Rhythm (once mastered) can be used as an expressive device. This means that we can play more to the intention of the music (the expression) than the “letter of the law” (the metronome). To do this well, we must first be able to play in precise time. Otherwise, it’s mayhem, and will likely come out schmaltzy, or just weird.

So practice triplets with precision, but when in doubt, stretch them out. It may not be “right”, but it may be less wrong.

How to Practice Triplets

So how do we master the triplet? What should we practice so we can play triplets with confidence and drive?

Triplets always exist within a context. But a piece could be all triplets. If so, once you start the ball rolling, it’s easy to continue.

Other classical guitar pieces use the half note, quarter notes, eighth notes, and sixteenth notes. Here, we must play the triplet alongside one of those three other subdivisions.

So to master triplets, master transitioning from each of these three subdivisions to triplets and back.

[If you’re logged in, Click Here to get the practice packet.] Woodshed Members see the bonus videos in the Woodshed Library.

Triplets Against Quarters

The first step in mastering triplets is to gain confidence going from the quarter note to triplets and back again.

At this stage, count triplets when playing the quarter notes (just clap on the downbeat, but continue to count triplets throughout the beat). This way, we can “drop-in” the triplets when we come to them. This means we’re not pulling the triplets “out of thin air”, but placing them in the right place.

Many metronomes offer the option of clicking on triplets. This feature may be helpful at first.

Alternate between triplets and quarter notes.

Triplets Against Eighths

After we master triplets and the quarter note, we can move to triplets and the eighth note.

This is where a metronome set to the quarter note is recommended. Otherwise, we don’t get the feedback we need to make corrections.

Once you’ve mastered triplets and quarter notes, add in eighth notes.

Tip: alternate between quarters and eighth notes, and quarters and triplets. When that’s comfortable, alternate between eighth notes and triplets.

Triplets Against Sixteenths

Remember, eighth note triplets last longer than sixteenth notes. Up until now, triplets “sped up”. Now, each note lasts longer than the sixteenth.

We can now build on our work with eighth notes and triplets to add in the sixteenth note.

Then we can work on playing triplets alongside sixteenths as well.

Quarter Note Triplets

Note: if you’re completely new to triplets, save these (and the following Half Note Triplet) for later. Spend your time on the triplet rhythms above, and come back later to the quarter note triplet.

While most triplets are eighth note triplets (1 beat subdivided into 3 equal parts), we also have other forms of triplets.

Just as three 8th note triplets take the time of two regular eighth notes, three quarter note triplets take the time of two regular quarter notes.

To play the quarter note triplets with precision, first, subdivide the quarters into eighth note triplets. Then play every second note. See the accents below.

Don’t guess: know the math and subdivide.

Half Note Triplets

In the same fashion as above, three half-note triplets happen in the space of two regular half notes.

And we can use the same method as above to find the exact placement of each note.

Practice slowly, then speed up.

Note: When first figuring out these types of complex rhythms in a piece of music, we may have to play extremely slowly. That’s fine and is all part of the job. Speed creates the illusion of perfection, so keep it slow until you know.

Start Small

Some players find triplets daunting at first. But with time and attention, they become just another rhythm like the half note and the quarter note.

We can “baby-step” into triplets by playing a piece that only has one or two triplet rhythms. That way, we can focus on a specific musical problem.

At the same time, any work we do on triplets as a study unto themselves is an investment in good music-making.