A duplet is a group of two notes, which spans three of its note-type:
♫ Hear Example #1: Eighth-note duplets span three eighth-notes of normal length (equal to one dotted quarter-note). ♫ Hear Example #2: Sixteenth-note duplets span one dotted eighth-note.
Counting Musical Duplets
Use the first measure in each passage to get a feel for the length of the duplet note-grouping (one dotted quarter-note equals three eighth-notes; one dotted eighth-note equals three sixteenth-notes). Image © Brandy Kraemer
If you’re having trouble grasping the duplet rhythm, break the measure down into smaller parts. In example #1, which has eighth-note duplets, you’ll use the sixteenth-note beat as your reference (sixteenth-notes fall on the ‘ands’ below); Count:
1 and2and 3and
The first note of the duplet occurs on the 1, and the second note falls on the and after the 2.
Counting Musical Triplets
It’s easiest to count triplets using a singular note-length: Use the first measure to find your beat. Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Triplet Note-Grouping
A triplet is a group of three notes played in the length of two of its note-value:
♫ Hear Example #1: Eighth-note triplets span the length of two normal eighth-notes, or one quarter-note. ♫ Hear Example #2: Quarter-note triplets span one half-note. ♫ Hear Example #3: In 6/8 time, think of a measure as having three pairs of eighth-notes rather than having two sets of threes; this method makes it easier to find the triplet rhythm.
How to Count Triplets
Once you find your beat (in example #1 this is the quarter-note), count 1-2-3 2-2-3 3-2-3 4-2-3. You can also try the syllablized ‘trip-uh-let’ to catch your rhythm, or count one-trip-let, two-trip-let, and so on.
Counting Musical Quadruplets
Use the first measures to find your beat; one dotted quarter-note equals three eighth-notes. (Note example #2 is in 9/8 time.). Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Quadruplet Note-Grouping
A quadruplet is a group of four notes that spans three of its note-type. Other rhythmic variations are indicated by a ratio:
♫ Hear Example #1: The 4:3 quadruplet is implied in many time signatures. ♫ Hear Example #2: 4:3 fits best in the 9/8 and 12/8 time signatures, because their eighth-notes are grouped into threes (strictly speaking, 6/8 contains three pairs of eighth-notes, not two groups of threes). ♫ Hear Example #3: The 4:6 quadruplet allows for the feel of common time in 6/8. This particular notation may also be written as duplets.
How to Count Quadruplets
Use the syllablized ‘quad-rup-uh-let,’ or count 1-quad-rup-let 2-quad-rup-let to grab the rhythm.
Counting Musical Quintuplets
Use the first measure to find your reference beat. (One dotted quarter-note equals three eighth-notes.). Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Quintuplet Note-Grouping
A quintuplet is a group of five notes played in the length of three or four of its note-type. For clarification, a ratio may be written:
♫ Hear Example #1: One eighth-note quintuplet in 5:4 spans four normal eighth-notes (or one half-note). ♫ Hear Example #2: The 5:3 ratio means five notes span three eighth-notes. This variation fits well in 9/8 and 12/8 time, since their beats are organized by threes (12/8 contains four groups of three eighth-notes, as opposed to three groups of four).
How to Count Quintuplets
After you find your reference beat, use the words “hip-po-pot-am-us” or “op-por-tun-i-ty” to feel the quintuplet rhythm.
Counting Musical Septuplets
Use the first measure to find your reference beat (notice the dotted eighth-rest at the end of passage #2). Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Septuplet Note-Grouping
A septuplet is a note-grouping of seven, commonly played in the length of four or six of its note-type:
♫ Hear Example #1: Seven eighth-notes span four normal (or “straight”) eighth-notes. Two groups of 7:4 septuplets fit in one measure of common time. ♫ Hear Example #2: One eighth-note septuplet spans six straight eighths in 6/8 time. ♫ Hear Example #3: Less common; seven notes span eight.
Since it’s somewhat rare for a division of seven notes to appear in the middle of a song, the time signature 7/8 tends to be used instead – that way, the entire song is affected.
How to Count Musical Septuplets
To count septuplets, first find your reference beat; then use the phrases “list-en to these se-ven notes” or “sil-ly hip-po-pot-a-mus” to feel the septuplet rhythm.
A duplet is a group of two notes, which spans three of its note-type:
♫ Hear Example #1: Eighth-note duplets span three eighth-notes of normal length (equal to one dotted quarter-note). ♫ Hear Example #2: Sixteenth-note duplets span one dotted eighth-note.
Counting Musical Duplets
Use the first measure in each passage to get a feel for the length of the duplet note-grouping (one dotted quarter-note equals three eighth-notes; one dotted eighth-note equals three sixteenth-notes). Image © Brandy Kraemer
If you’re having trouble grasping the duplet rhythm, break the measure down into smaller parts. In example #1, which has eighth-note duplets, you’ll use the sixteenth-note beat as your reference (sixteenth-notes fall on the ‘ands’ below); Count:
1 and2and 3and
The first note of the duplet occurs on the 1, and the second note falls on the and after the 2.
Counting Musical Triplets
It’s easiest to count triplets using a singular note-length: Use the first measure to find your beat. Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Triplet Note-Grouping
A triplet is a group of three notes played in the length of two of its note-value:
♫ Hear Example #1: Eighth-note triplets span the length of two normal eighth-notes, or one quarter-note. ♫ Hear Example #2: Quarter-note triplets span one half-note. ♫ Hear Example #3: In 6/8 time, think of a measure as having three pairs of eighth-notes rather than having two sets of threes; this method makes it easier to find the triplet rhythm.
How to Count Triplets
Once you find your beat (in example #1 this is the quarter-note), count 1-2-3 2-2-3 3-2-3 4-2-3. You can also try the syllablized ‘trip-uh-let’ to catch your rhythm, or count one-trip-let, two-trip-let, and so on.
Counting Musical Quadruplets
Use the first measures to find your beat; one dotted quarter-note equals three eighth-notes. (Note example #2 is in 9/8 time.). Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Quadruplet Note-Grouping
A quadruplet is a group of four notes that spans three of its note-type. Other rhythmic variations are indicated by a ratio:
♫ Hear Example #1: The 4:3 quadruplet is implied in many time signatures. ♫ Hear Example #2: 4:3 fits best in the 9/8 and 12/8 time signatures, because their eighth-notes are grouped into threes (strictly speaking, 6/8 contains three pairs of eighth-notes, not two groups of threes). ♫ Hear Example #3: The 4:6 quadruplet allows for the feel of common time in 6/8. This particular notation may also be written as duplets.
How to Count Quadruplets
Use the syllablized ‘quad-rup-uh-let,’ or count 1-quad-rup-let 2-quad-rup-let to grab the rhythm.
Counting Musical Quintuplets
Use the first measure to find your reference beat. (One dotted quarter-note equals three eighth-notes.). Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Quintuplet Note-Grouping
A quintuplet is a group of five notes played in the length of three or four of its note-type. For clarification, a ratio may be written:
♫ Hear Example #1: One eighth-note quintuplet in 5:4 spans four normal eighth-notes (or one half-note). ♫ Hear Example #2: The 5:3 ratio means five notes span three eighth-notes. This variation fits well in 9/8 and 12/8 time, since their beats are organized by threes (12/8 contains four groups of three eighth-notes, as opposed to three groups of four).
How to Count Quintuplets
After you find your reference beat, use the words “hip-po-pot-am-us” or “op-por-tun-i-ty” to feel the quintuplet rhythm.
Counting Musical Septuplets
Use the first measure to find your reference beat (notice the dotted eighth-rest at the end of passage #2). Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Septuplet Note-Grouping
A septuplet is a note-grouping of seven, commonly played in the length of four or six of its note-type:
♫ Hear Example #1: Seven eighth-notes span four normal (or “straight”) eighth-notes. Two groups of 7:4 septuplets fit in one measure of common time. ♫ Hear Example #2: One eighth-note septuplet spans six straight eighths in 6/8 time. ♫ Hear Example #3: Less common; seven notes span eight.
Since it’s somewhat rare for a division of seven notes to appear in the middle of a song, the time signature 7/8 tends to be used instead – that way, the entire song is affected.
How to Count Musical Septuplets
To count septuplets, first find your reference beat; then use the phrases “list-en to these se-ven notes” or “sil-ly hip-po-pot-a-mus” to feel the septuplet rhythm.
A duplet is a group of two notes, which spans three of its note-type:
♫ Hear Example #1: Eighth-note duplets span three eighth-notes of normal length (equal to one dotted quarter-note). ♫ Hear Example #2: Sixteenth-note duplets span one dotted eighth-note.
Counting Musical Duplets
Use the first measure in each passage to get a feel for the length of the duplet note-grouping (one dotted quarter-note equals three eighth-notes; one dotted eighth-note equals three sixteenth-notes). Image © Brandy Kraemer
If you’re having trouble grasping the duplet rhythm, break the measure down into smaller parts. In example #1, which has eighth-note duplets, you’ll use the sixteenth-note beat as your reference (sixteenth-notes fall on the ‘ands’ below); Count:
1 and2and 3and
The first note of the duplet occurs on the 1, and the second note falls on the and after the 2.
Counting Musical Triplets
It’s easiest to count triplets using a singular note-length: Use the first measure to find your beat. Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Triplet Note-Grouping
A triplet is a group of three notes played in the length of two of its note-value:
♫ Hear Example #1: Eighth-note triplets span the length of two normal eighth-notes, or one quarter-note. ♫ Hear Example #2: Quarter-note triplets span one half-note. ♫ Hear Example #3: In 6/8 time, think of a measure as having three pairs of eighth-notes rather than having two sets of threes; this method makes it easier to find the triplet rhythm.
How to Count Triplets
Once you find your beat (in example #1 this is the quarter-note), count 1-2-3 2-2-3 3-2-3 4-2-3. You can also try the syllablized ‘trip-uh-let’ to catch your rhythm, or count one-trip-let, two-trip-let, and so on.
Counting Musical Quadruplets
Use the first measures to find your beat; one dotted quarter-note equals three eighth-notes. (Note example #2 is in 9/8 time.). Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Quadruplet Note-Grouping
A quadruplet is a group of four notes that spans three of its note-type. Other rhythmic variations are indicated by a ratio:
♫ Hear Example #1: The 4:3 quadruplet is implied in many time signatures. ♫ Hear Example #2: 4:3 fits best in the 9/8 and 12/8 time signatures, because their eighth-notes are grouped into threes (strictly speaking, 6/8 contains three pairs of eighth-notes, not two groups of threes). ♫ Hear Example #3: The 4:6 quadruplet allows for the feel of common time in 6/8. This particular notation may also be written as duplets.
How to Count Quadruplets
Use the syllablized ‘quad-rup-uh-let,’ or count 1-quad-rup-let 2-quad-rup-let to grab the rhythm.
Counting Musical Quintuplets
Use the first measure to find your reference beat. (One dotted quarter-note equals three eighth-notes.). Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Quintuplet Note-Grouping
A quintuplet is a group of five notes played in the length of three or four of its note-type. For clarification, a ratio may be written:
♫ Hear Example #1: One eighth-note quintuplet in 5:4 spans four normal eighth-notes (or one half-note). ♫ Hear Example #2: The 5:3 ratio means five notes span three eighth-notes. This variation fits well in 9/8 and 12/8 time, since their beats are organized by threes (12/8 contains four groups of three eighth-notes, as opposed to three groups of four).
How to Count Quintuplets
After you find your reference beat, use the words “hip-po-pot-am-us” or “op-por-tun-i-ty” to feel the quintuplet rhythm.
Counting Musical Septuplets
Use the first measure to find your reference beat (notice the dotted eighth-rest at the end of passage #2). Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Septuplet Note-Grouping
A septuplet is a note-grouping of seven, commonly played in the length of four or six of its note-type:
♫ Hear Example #1: Seven eighth-notes span four normal (or “straight”) eighth-notes. Two groups of 7:4 septuplets fit in one measure of common time. ♫ Hear Example #2: One eighth-note septuplet spans six straight eighths in 6/8 time. ♫ Hear Example #3: Less common; seven notes span eight.
Since it’s somewhat rare for a division of seven notes to appear in the middle of a song, the time signature 7/8 tends to be used instead – that way, the entire song is affected.
How to Count Musical Septuplets
To count septuplets, first find your reference beat; then use the phrases “list-en to these se-ven notes” or “sil-ly hip-po-pot-a-mus” to feel the septuplet rhythm.
A duplet is a group of two notes, which spans three of its note-type:
♫ Hear Example #1: Eighth-note duplets span three eighth-notes of normal length (equal to one dotted quarter-note).
♫ Hear Example #2: Sixteenth-note duplets span one dotted eighth-note.
Counting Musical Duplets
Use the first measure in each passage to get a feel for the length of the duplet note-grouping (one dotted quarter-note equals three eighth-notes; one dotted eighth-note equals three sixteenth-notes). Image © Brandy Kraemer
If you’re having trouble grasping the duplet rhythm, break the measure down into smaller parts. In example #1, which has eighth-note duplets, you’ll use the sixteenth-note beat as your reference (sixteenth-notes fall on the ‘ands’ below); Count:
1 and2and 3and
The first note of the duplet occurs on the 1, and the second note falls on the and after the 2.
Counting Musical Triplets
It’s easiest to count triplets using a singular note-length: Use the first measure to find your beat. Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Triplet Note-Grouping
A triplet is a group of three notes played in the length of two of its note-value:
♫ Hear Example #1: Eighth-note triplets span the length of two normal eighth-notes, or one quarter-note. ♫ Hear Example #2: Quarter-note triplets span one half-note. ♫ Hear Example #3: In 6/8 time, think of a measure as having three pairs of eighth-notes rather than having two sets of threes; this method makes it easier to find the triplet rhythm.
How to Count Triplets
Once you find your beat (in example #1 this is the quarter-note), count 1-2-3 2-2-3 3-2-3 4-2-3. You can also try the syllablized ‘trip-uh-let’ to catch your rhythm, or count one-trip-let, two-trip-let, and so on.
Counting Musical Quadruplets
Use the first measures to find your beat; one dotted quarter-note equals three eighth-notes. (Note example #2 is in 9/8 time.). Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Quadruplet Note-Grouping
A quadruplet is a group of four notes that spans three of its note-type. Other rhythmic variations are indicated by a ratio:
♫ Hear Example #1: The 4:3 quadruplet is implied in many time signatures. ♫ Hear Example #2: 4:3 fits best in the 9/8 and 12/8 time signatures, because their eighth-notes are grouped into threes (strictly speaking, 6/8 contains three pairs of eighth-notes, not two groups of threes). ♫ Hear Example #3: The 4:6 quadruplet allows for the feel of common time in 6/8. This particular notation may also be written as duplets.
How to Count Quadruplets
Use the syllablized ‘quad-rup-uh-let,’ or count 1-quad-rup-let 2-quad-rup-let to grab the rhythm.
Counting Musical Quintuplets
Use the first measure to find your reference beat. (One dotted quarter-note equals three eighth-notes.). Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Quintuplet Note-Grouping
A quintuplet is a group of five notes played in the length of three or four of its note-type. For clarification, a ratio may be written:
♫ Hear Example #1: One eighth-note quintuplet in 5:4 spans four normal eighth-notes (or one half-note). ♫ Hear Example #2: The 5:3 ratio means five notes span three eighth-notes. This variation fits well in 9/8 and 12/8 time, since their beats are organized by threes (12/8 contains four groups of three eighth-notes, as opposed to three groups of four).
How to Count Quintuplets
After you find your reference beat, use the words “hip-po-pot-am-us” or “op-por-tun-i-ty” to feel the quintuplet rhythm.
Counting Musical Septuplets
Use the first measure to find your reference beat (notice the dotted eighth-rest at the end of passage #2). Image © Brandy Kraemer
Length of the Septuplet Note-Grouping
A septuplet is a note-grouping of seven, commonly played in the length of four or six of its note-type:
♫ Hear Example #1: Seven eighth-notes span four normal (or “straight”) eighth-notes. Two groups of 7:4 septuplets fit in one measure of common time. ♫ Hear Example #2: One eighth-note septuplet spans six straight eighths in 6/8 time. ♫ Hear Example #3: Less common; seven notes span eight.
Since it’s somewhat rare for a division of seven notes to appear in the middle of a song, the time signature 7/8 tends to be used instead – that way, the entire song is affected.
How to Count Musical Septuplets
To count septuplets, first find your reference beat; then use the phrases “list-en to these se-ven notes” or “sil-ly hip-po-pot-a-mus” to feel the septuplet rhythm.
Counting Musical Duplets
If you’re having trouble grasping the duplet rhythm, break the measure down into smaller parts. In example #1, which has eighth-note duplets, you’ll use the sixteenth-note beat as your reference (sixteenth-notes fall on the ‘ands’ below); Count:
1 and2and 3and
The first note of the duplet occurs on the 1, and the second note falls on the and after the 2.
Counting Musical Triplets
Length of the Triplet Note-Grouping
A triplet is a group of three notes played in the length of two of its note-value:
- ♫ Hear Example #1: Eighth-note triplets span the length of two normal eighth-notes, or one quarter-note.
- ♫ Hear Example #2: Quarter-note triplets span one half-note.
- ♫ Hear Example #3: In 6/8 time, think of a measure as having three pairs of eighth-notes rather than having two sets of threes; this method makes it easier to find the triplet rhythm.
How to Count Triplets
Once you find your beat (in example #1 this is the quarter-note), count 1-2-3 2-2-3 3-2-3 4-2-3. You can also try the syllablized ‘trip-uh-let’ to catch your rhythm, or count one-trip-let, two-trip-let, and so on.
Counting Musical Quadruplets
Length of the Quadruplet Note-Grouping
A quadruplet is a group of four notes that spans three of its note-type. Other rhythmic variations are indicated by a ratio:
- ♫ Hear Example #1: The 4:3 quadruplet is implied in many time signatures.
- ♫ Hear Example #2: 4:3 fits best in the 9/8 and 12/8 time signatures, because their eighth-notes are grouped into threes (strictly speaking, 6/8 contains three pairs of eighth-notes, not two groups of threes).
- ♫ Hear Example #3: The 4:6 quadruplet allows for the feel of common time in 6/8. This particular notation may also be written as duplets.
How to Count Quadruplets
Use the syllablized ‘quad-rup-uh-let,’ or count 1-quad-rup-let 2-quad-rup-let to grab the rhythm.
Counting Musical Quintuplets
Length of the Quintuplet Note-Grouping
A quintuplet is a group of five notes played in the length of three or four of its note-type. For clarification, a ratio may be written:
- ♫ Hear Example #1: One eighth-note quintuplet in 5:4 spans four normal eighth-notes (or one half-note).
- ♫ Hear Example #2: The 5:3 ratio means five notes span three eighth-notes. This variation fits well in 9/8 and 12/8 time, since their beats are organized by threes (12/8 contains four groups of three eighth-notes, as opposed to three groups of four).
How to Count Quintuplets
After you find your reference beat, use the words “hip-po-pot-am-us” or “op-por-tun-i-ty” to feel the quintuplet rhythm.
Counting Musical Septuplets
Length of the Septuplet Note-Grouping
A septuplet is a note-grouping of seven, commonly played in the length of four or six of its note-type:
- ♫ Hear Example #1: Seven eighth-notes span four normal (or “straight”) eighth-notes. Two groups of 7:4 septuplets fit in one measure of common time.
- ♫ Hear Example #2: One eighth-note septuplet spans six straight eighths in 6/8 time.
- ♫ Hear Example #3: Less common; seven notes span eight.
Since it’s somewhat rare for a division of seven notes to appear in the middle of a song, the time signature 7/8 tends to be used instead – that way, the entire song is affected.
How to Count Musical Septuplets
To count septuplets, first find your reference beat; then use the phrases “list-en to these se-ven notes” or “sil-ly hip-po-pot-a-mus” to feel the septuplet rhythm.
