Guide to Triplets: How to Play and Count Triplets in Music

A tuplet is a series of notes of the same duration played over a set span of time. Triplets are the most common type of tuplet in the world of music theory. Duplets (two-note groupings), quintuplets (five-note groupings), sextuplets (six-note groupings), and septuplets (seven-note groupings) all appear in music, particularly in twentieth and twenty-first century classical music. But when it comes to injecting irregular rhythms into a musical phrase with simple meter, triplets are far and away the most typical.

In music theory, a triplet is a three-note pattern that fills the duration of a typical two-note pattern. Each note in a triplet has equal rhythmic value. Here are some common triplets:

• Quarter note triplet: A quarter note triplet consists of three-quarter notes over the same amount of time as two-quarter notes or a single half note. Quarter note triplets are known as crotchet triplets in Britain.
• Eighth note triplet: An eighth note triplet contains three eighth notes in the space normally occupied by two eighth notes or a single quarter note. Eight note triplets are known as quaver triplets in Britain.
• Sixteenth note triplet: A sixteenth note triplet contains three sixteenth notes over the span of two sixteenth notes or a single eighth note. Sixteenth note triples are known as semiquaver triplets in Britain.

Even one triplet can inject complex rhythm into an otherwise staid musical phrase. A repeating pattern of triplets can create the effect of compound meters, particularly when the composer juxtaposes the triplet rhythm against a steady quarter note or eighth note pulse.

Triplets, and all tuplets, are notated with brackets directly above or below the notes. The brackets include a number indicating the type of tuplet. A triplet has the number 3 in its bracket. In the below example, in order from left to right, are a half note triplet, a quarter note triplet, an eighth note triplet, and a pair of sixteenth note triplets.

To properly play a triplet pattern, treat all three notes as equal parts of a whole. Avoid giving too much emphasis to the first note, which can prevent the triplet from being a true triplet. For instance, a set of half note triplets (filling the space of a whole note) can sound wrong if you sustain the first note too long; you might end up with the sound of two dotted quarter notes followed by a regular quarter note. While this could be a great rhythmic pattern in and of itself, it is not a half note triplet. Consider using a metronome to ensure that all three triplet notes are of the exact same length.

When you're just starting out as a musician, a triplet can feel like an irrational rhythm, especially when set against a simple meter like 3/4 or 4/4. To make the process feel natural, consider counting the notes as you play.

Begin by counting an ordinary eighth note pulse as "one-and-two-and-three-and-four-and." Then, use similar language to count the three pulses of a triplet by saying "tri-pa-let" as you play—for instance, "one-and-two-and-tri-pa-let-four-and." You can also count a triplet beat by including the number of the beat—for instance, “one-and-two-trip-let-three-and-four and.” With practice, you'll begin to naturally "hear" the sound of triplets in your head, and you'll be able to play them fluidly without mouthing syllables.

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