Eighth Note Triplets

Eighth Note Triplet

Triplets are a funny little grouping of notes. They find themselves throughout all musical genders from rock, to the blues, and jazz. This material presented here is based on the notes that were presented to me by my drum instructor Jack Hall on May 22^nd, 2013 at his studio at the Willis MusicStore on Hurstbourne Lane here in Louisville KY.

To quote the book “The Total RockDrummer” by Mike Michalkow published by Alfred, “Lots of songs by Elvis Presley, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ray Charles and other use triplets beats. One very popular song using this rhythm is “Hold the Line” by Toto, featuring Jeff Porcaro on drums.”

Another rock song that utilizes triplets in the main groove of the song after the into, according to the book is “Hot For Teacher” by Van Halen featuring Alex Van Halen on drums.

Steward Copeland of the Police, using triplets on the “Walking on the Moon” for the main groove of the song.

If you have not heard these songs or it's been a while, I would recommend going back and taking a listen to assist understanding this lesson after you have finished reading. I have provided the links to the song videos below that are on YouTube.

Toto - Hold The Line

Van Halen - Hot For Teacher

The Police - Walking on the Moon

The notation for triplets are a grouping of three notes together with a beam above it with a "3" (refer to above image Eight Note Triplet).  For common time signature (4/4) there will be 24 notes to a measure (refer to the below image Eighth Note Triplets - Exercise 1).  If you do not know music notation or need a refresher take at my Music Theory and Applying The Theory articles that I have previously developed.

Eighth note triplets are counted, 1-trip-let, 2-trip-let, 3-trip-let, 4-trip-let and 1-trip-let-&-trip-let, 2-trip-let-&-trip-let, 3-trip-let-&-trip-let, 4-trip-let-&-trip-let.

Now that you know what triplets are, let me present to you some exercises that will help to get you playing them on the drum kit.

Lesson Objectives

To introduce triplets in a 4/4 time signature and provide exercises that assist in developing the technique to play this grouping of notes to the drum kit.

PDF document is now available for downloading: Eighth Note Triplets

Exercises

The first exercise introduces the eighth note triplets by playing triplets on all the eighth notes.  It starts out with 1-trip-let-&-trip-let with the first note played on the hi-hat, then two beats of the snare drum which completes the first eighth note triplet. It is then followed another triplet that starts on the & of 1 and counted &-trip-let with again the hi-hat on the & and two snare drum beats on trip-let.  This pattern repeats for the remainder of the measure; remember to count them 1-trip-let-&-trip-let, 2-trip-let-&-trip-let, 3-trip-let-&-trip-let, 4-trip-let-&-trip-let.

IMPORTANT: All Notes are equality spaced.

Eighth Note Triples - Exercise 1

The second exercise (refer to Eighth Note Triplets - Exercise 2) is more in line with what you will find in a song.  It starts out with two eighth notes (1, &) with hi-hat and kick drum played together, the count of 2 is hi-hat and snare played together, the &-trip-let is hi-hat, followed by a snare and another snare, 3 and & of 3 is the same as beat 1 and & of 1 and the measure ends with the count of 4 with a hi-hat and snare played together follow by a hi-hat on the & of 4

Eighth Note Triples - Exercise 2

The third exercise (refer to Eighth Note Triplets - Exercise 3) uses the second exercise as the basis but adds another triplet on the count of 3 with a hi-hat and kick drum, trip has a snare beat, let has another snare beat followed by the & with the hi-hat and kick drum combo.

Eighth Note Triples - Exercise 3

The forth exercise (refer to Eighth Note Triplets - Exercise 4) uses the third exercise as the basis but adds another triplet on the count of 1 with a hi-hat and kick drum, trip has a snare beat, let has another snare beat followed by the & with the hi-hat and kick drum combo.

Eighth Note Triples - Exercise 4

The fifth exercise (refer to Eighth Note Triplets - Exercise 5) changes things up.  This measure starts out with a triplet on the count of 1 with hi-hat, then snare, then another snare beat, followed by a triplet on the & of 1 with again a hi-hat, snare beat and another snare beat.  The second beat is a hi-hat and snare beat and the & of 2 is a hi-hat.  The count of 3 and 4 are subdivided (repeated from count of 1 and 2) to end the measure.

Eighth Note Triples - Exercise 5

The six exercise (refer to Eighth Note Triplets - Exercise 6)again changes things up by replacing the triplet kick drum and place it with the snare drum with starting out with hi-hat and kick on 1, snare on trip and let, followed by the same triplet on the & of 1 with hi-hat, snare, snare combination. Again the reminder of the measure is subdivided for the count of 3 and 4 (repeated from count of 1 and 2).

Eighth Note Triples - Exercise 6

The final exercise (refer to Eighth Note Triplets - Exercise 7) starts out with a triplet on the count of one with hi-hat, kick drum and kick drum, the same is applied to the & of 1, the count of two repeats the count of one the final two beats are the count of 3 with a hi-hat and snare combo and the count of 4 repeats the count of 3.

Eighth Note Triples - Exercise 7

This wraps up this lesson, which focused on introducing eighth note triplets, triplet notation and some exercises to get you going on the kit.  Now take these to you kit and start applying what you just learned (PDF version of the exercises here). Remember to start these out slowly and gradually increase your speed when and only when you can play them without errors and comfortably.  Use a metronome when you are practice so that you can hear the spacing between the notes and make sure that you play them evenly.  Prefect Practice Makes Prefect!  Bad Practice, just makes bad. Also, try and come up with some beats of your own take those to you the kit.  Keep it about the music and if you have any questions, visit my contact page and use one of the methods to reach me.  Have a great day and thanks for reading!

Resources

The Total Rock Drummer by Mike Michalkow

The Total Rock Drummer is a unique and exciting journey through the diverse world of rock drumming. Start with basic lessons in keeping a beat, and end up playing sophisticated fills and solos. This book features many of the styles that make rock drumming so challenging, yet rewarding, and is meant for all drummers from beginners to advanced players. Learn everything from rockabilly and reggae to funk and progressive rock, plus actual drumbeats from famous rock tunes by Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, The Police, Tool, Green Day, and more! This is the one place to get everything you need to make you a great rock drummer. A CD demonstrating the examples in the book is included.