Three Part Beats

Here we will move into dividing beats into three parts. We will call it a triplet rhythm pattern. We work with

  • Reviewing 3/4 time signature

  • Add new terms for counting the rhythm triplet pattern. 

  • Easily seeing the different applications of using the triplet pattern.

So what happens when we use eighth notes on a quarter beat pattern but have 3 notes instead of two? Another great question. Let’s investigate this 3 part beat.

Review 3/4 Time Signature

Review the straight beats on the 3/4 time signature.

count-rhythm-3-4

This is easily counted as 1 2 3, 1 2 3. But What if we wanted to divide the beats into 3 sub-parts as follows:

count-rhythm-3-4-triplet1

Once again we took the beat and made it three parts.

How would you know that three 8th notes would be counted this way?  There are a couple of ways that this will show up.

Take a look:

One common way is to express 3 beamed single-eighth-note with a 3 and bracket across the top indicating a triplet, like this.  image-files/single-eighth-note-triplet  Or  image-files/single-qtr-note-triplet  for quarter notes.

They can be written with 3 beamed 8th notes like this

count-rhythm-4-4-triplets

Here is an example of the  x head:    single-eighth-xhead-triplet   or single-eighth-xhead-triplet

Explore further the counting with other notes.  Once again it is very important to count all three pieces of the beat to keep the rhythm smooth and consistent.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE:
Now here’s where we are going to insist on counting just as we stated it above and saying it out loud. In order to keep every thing even you have to count all the pieces:
one    and    a    two    and    a    three    and    a  
Until you get it down cold and can groove on the rhythm, here is what will happen if don’t count properly. You will count a 3/4 pattern like this:
1   and    a    2    and    a    3    and
When you count without the “and    a” you can short change beat 3 ending up with less than 3 beats being counted, why? Because the tendency is to rush the beat count. The 3 and will end up being short time without the “a” of 3.
So always count out “and    a“. In this manner you will ensure the partial beat is placed properly and your rhythm will be even.

Rhythm – More Practice with Triplets

Practice on these rhythms, be sure to count out load and start slowly:

count-rhythm-3-4-triplet1

Cross of the number ever time you complete five repeats (5x)

  1          2          3          4          5          6          7 

Here’s the basic swing rhythm. Accent the “a” as in we use the “>” to show the accent on a note.

count-rhythm-4-4-triplet-practice

Cross of the number ever time you complete five repeats (5x)

  1          2          3          4          5          6          7 

The key to sub dividing beats into triplets is to know that counting a triplet with the “and a” and to do it even when the other notes are longer.

Again this can be clearer once you apply this to an instrument. Audition these rhythm triplet patterns and apply counting rhythm rests using a piano or other instrument.

Play a single note where shown, count slowly and hold where indicated. Do it several times and you will be able to count the rhythm triplet pattern easily.

Learning Resources

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The Getting It Down Cold Workshops and Music Theory Course cover notes for rhythm and pitch. We do it separately then you work them together to play songs. MLW takes the approach of understand the language first then use it.