In music theory, you will find these terms: Irrational rhythm, artificial division, or abnormal divisions. Here we will use the term of tuplet. All these terms are applied to rhythms that involves dividing the beat into a different way from that usually permitted by the time signature.
For example, with a time signature, you can only divide each by beat by a multiple of 2, so 1 beat can contains 2 , 4 , 8 , 16 , or 32 . Normally, in such a time signature, you can't divide the beat by 3, 5, 7, or 9, but the only way to do it is to use tuplets.
The most common tuplet is the triplet.
Definition of the triplet
A triplet is a tuplet that permit to divide the beat (or more than 1 beat) by 3 in simple meters.
The rule is: A triplet can put 3 notes in the equivalent of 2. Or more exactly, A triplet can put 3 notes of equal length in the equivalent of the duration of 2 notes of equal length.
The most famous triplet: The eighth note triplet (quaver triplet )
Below is an eighth note triplet (quaver triplet ):
With an eighth note triplet (quaver triplet ), you can performe 3 in the equivalent of the duration of 2 , so you can divide a beat by 3 in a simple meter time signature.
Example with the famous Piano Sonata No.14, Op.27 No.2 from Ludwig van Beethoven:
Wow! Even with synthesized sound, it is amazing! What a genius!
Another example of with the movement Mars from The planets composed by Gustav Holst
The quarter note triplet (crotchet triplet )
Below is a quarter note triplet (crotchet triplet ):
With an quarter note triplet (crotchet triplet ), you can performe 3 in the equivalent of the duration of 2 , so you can divide 2 beats by 3 in a simple meter time signature.
Example of quarter note triplets (crotchet triplets ):
The half note triplet (minim triplet )
Below is a half note triplet (minim triplet ):
With a half note triplet (minim triplet ), you can performe 3 in the equivalent of the duration of 2 , so you can divide 4 beats by 3 in a simple meter time signature.
Example of half note triplets (minim triplets ):
Sixteenth note triplet (Semiquaver triplet )
Below is a sixteenth note triplet (semiquaver triplet ):
With a sixteenth note triplet (semiquaver triplet ), you can performe 3 in the equivalent of the duration of 2 , so you can divide 1 beats by 6 in a simple meter time signature.
Example of sixteenth note triplet (semiquaver triplet ):
Triplets and rests
Triplets can contains rests, like in this example:
Summary of triplets
Below are the most common triplets and their equivalent:
