Reading and playing quarter note triplets is a topic that comes up frequently with beginning drum students.
In order to understand how to read, count and play quarter note triplets, you first have to understand how eighth note triplets work, which is fairly easy.
Eighth note triplets are just groups of three notes that fit in the space of one quarter note (the basic pulse of 4/4 music). To count these triplets, you simply say, “One-Trip-Let, Two-Trip-Let, Three-Trip-Let, Four-Trip-Let.”
Each of these syllables corresponds to one note of the triplet, and all twelve of those syllables fill up one bar of 4/4 time with four full eighth note triplets. To understand this more clearly, it will help to look at the attached worksheet. Click on the following link: Understanding Quarter Note Triplets
The worksheet abbreviates the words “One-Trip-Let” as “1 T L,” and you can see how the counting lines up with the both the eighth note triplets (top measure), and the quarter note triplets (bottom measure).
The quarter note triplets, shown on the second measure, line up with every other eighth note triplet, because that is how they are derived.
Quite simply, quarter note triplets are exactly one half of eighth note triplets, and by omitting every other eighth note subdivision across two eighth note triplets, the result will be one single quarter note triplet.
Hopefully, the graphic of the worksheet will allow you to understand how it works.
The first set of quarter note triplets shown is derived from the following actions relative to the first two eighth note triplets:
- playing the “one,”
- omitting the “trip,”
- playing the “let,”
- omitting the “2,”
- playing the “trip” that follows “two,” and
- omitting the “let” that follows “two.
This sounds complex, but looking at the graphics on the worksheet should make it clear…note how the quarter note triplets line up visually with the eighth note triplets and you should have a good sense of how this works.
I hope this is helpful…..as always, questions and comments are welcome.
He first gained attention as one of the winners of Modern Drummer magazine's very first drum solo contest, judged by Rush's Neil Peart.
He's played with Oz Noy, Will Lee, Alison Krauss, Curtis Stigers, Emily Remler, Joel Hoekstra, GE Smith, Andy York, Marshall Crenshaw, Tony Shanahan, The Drifters, The Marvelettes, Big Brother and The Holding Company, and many other artists.
For more info: onlinesessiondrummer.com
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Very useful, Mark. Many thanks for the post.
Hi Biju! You’re welcome. Glad it was helpful.
MF
Wow…Thanks. Very useful. I’ve always wondered this. 🙂
Hi Beverley-
You’re welcome.
Glad you found it helpful.
MF
Thanks a lot for the post. It cleared up a lot of confusion p
Hi Giselle- You’re welcome. Glad the post was helpful.
Mark F
So, Quarter note triplets are three notes that reside within a half note? Not sure why you didn’t apply the same definition process as you did with eighth note triplets.
I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking…
I think what Ozark Drummer was asking was if quarter note triplets take up 2 beats in an 4/4 measure, which the answer is yes.
Hi – Yes, agreed.
MF
Very helpful. Thank you. If I can ask a question; you point out that the eighth-note triplet has twelve syllables. Can you get the same rhythm using a 12/8 time signature? (Different tempo on a metronome, of course.)
Hi Michael –
A measure of 4/4 that is filled with 4 eighth note triplets is equivalent to a measure of 12/8 that is filled with 12 eighth notes. If that is what you’re asking….then the answer is “yes!” I’m glad you found this article helpful.
Mark F