Triplets versus three beats

A triplet fits three equal parts into time normally occupied by two of the same written value. Three eighth-note triplets can fill one quarter-note beat. Check the bracket or beam to see exactly which values belong to the tuplet.

Three ordinary eighths inside a dotted-quarter beat in 6/8 are not an eighth-note triplet: they are the normal compound division. The same count of notes can therefore have different notation depending on the time span being divided.

Example

In 4/4, three eighth-note triplets can replace one quarter-note duration.

3 × ♪₃ = ♩

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How many notes are in two eighth-triplet groups spanning two quarter beats?

Answer

Six: three in each beat.

References

Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom

Subject-expert review pending.

Triplets versus three beats

Example

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Related topics

References