How to Count Half-Note Triplets: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Douglas Niedt

Copyright Douglas Niedt. All Rights Reserved.
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To count half-note triplets in 4/4, divide each half note into three parts and count a steady 1-2-3-4-5-6, then pluck only on "1," "3," and "5" — the three notes you play are even half-note triplets. This step-by-step guide demonstrates the method with notated examples, a five-step exercise with metronome at 40 bpm, and steps for applying the counting to your repertoire.

SUMMARY: HOW TO PLAY HALF-NOTE TRIPLETS

1. Assume we have two measures in 4/4 meter.
2. Measure #1 contains two half notes.
3. Measure #2 contains a half-note triplet.
4. In measure #1, divide each half note into three parts and count “1-2-3” for the first half note and “4-5-6” for the second half note. So, a steady “1-2-3-4-5-6.”
5. Finally, to play the half-note triplet in measure #2, continue counting 1-2-3-4-5-6 but pluck only on “1,” “3,” and “5.” The three notes you just played are even half-note triplets!

HERE IS THE PROCESS IN DETAIL TO LEARN TO PLAY HALF NOTE TRIPLETS

If we have half notes like the following in 4/4 time, we typically count them as:
| 1-&-2-&-3-&-4-& |
We will set a metronome at a slow speed of 40 bpm, so it ticks on numbers 1 and 3 (the red x’s). Example #1:

Next, instead of counting them in the usual way, |1-&-2-&-3-&-4-&| , we will divide each half note into three parts counting 1-2-3 for the first half note and 4-5-6 for the second half note. If we set a metronome, it will tick on numbers 1 and 4. Example #2:

Next, we will divide each half note into three equal notes which makes them quarter-note triplets. The metronome will tick on number 1 and number 4 (the red x’s). Example #3:

Therefore, we assign a number to each note of the two triplets: 1-2-3 and 4-5-6. Set a metronome to 40 bpm. The metronome will tick on number 1 and number 4 (the red x’s in the example). Tap your right foot with the metronome and COUNTING OUT LOUD, play the quarter-note triplets:

Next, we practice alternating between half notes and quarter-note triplets, always counting 1-2-3-4-5-6. Again, the metronome ticks on number 1 and number 4 (the red x’s in the example). Tap your right foot with the metronome and COUNTING OUT LOUD, alternate playing a measure of half notes and a measure of quarter-note triplets. Example #5:

Finally, if we delete or don’t play notes 2, 4, and 6 in the quarter-note triplet measures, we are left with half-note triplets! Example #6:

PRACTICE THIS FIVE-STEP EXERCISE

To better understand how to count half-note triplets, practice this five-step exercise. As you practice each step:

• Play with a metronome at 40 bpm
• Count out loud
• Tap your right foot with the metronome.

Later, when you are comfortable with all five steps, omit counting, then omit foot tapping, and finally, omit the metronome.

Example #7:

How Do I Incorporate This Method of Counting Into The Piece I Am Working On?

1. Practice away from the piece first.
2. Learn the basics of counting half-note triplets by practicing open-string exercises such as those above.
3. When you return to the piece, extract the passage with the half note triplets.
4. If it is a fast passage, work out the rhythm slowly at first using the counting principles above.
5. Gradually speed it up either by ear or with a metronome.

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