Quarter Note Triplets

The majority of the time we play 8th note triplets generally because we play 8th note rock and use 8th note triplets as a fill. however a much under used triplet is the 1/4 note triplet that is great to use in swing situations

First, let me explain how to play a 1/4 triplet as I have found it not that easy or natural to get a hold off :-)

You would count out "1 and er 2 and er 3 and er 4 and er" just like a normal 8th note triplet count (Refer to my counting lesson here)

But only play on the bolded counts as follows "one and er two and er..... etc"

So you count it all out but don't play on the non-bolded counts. Tough or what!!!

Hopefully you can see that we are playing 3 notes in the space of two 1/4 notes. The 1/4 notes are reflected by the beats of one and two and a triplet is 3 notes play evenly over the same time (or space) as two.

The other way you can play this is to play an 8th note triplet with alternating leading hands for example lead with the right hand on beat one and lead with the left hand on beat two.

The sticking would be as follows RLR LRL however play the left hand strokes as air shots or against your leg so as not to make a sound.

So if I take out the L hand stroke you are left with "one and er two and er" R R R which is a 1/4 note triplet. Whoa that took some explaining.

I hope you followed my all the way to the end.

Click here to hear this played at 60 beats per minute

This is quite difficult to do and is also a difficult concept to grasp so don't be hard on yourself if you don't pick it up straight away.