JAZCLASS : Rhythm Class 5 - Triplet Quavers

Triplet Quavers

Rhythm Segments with Triplet Quavers

Rhythm Patterns 85-108

Practice Material
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Lesson | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | ? ? |

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RC 5.1 - Triplet Quavers

In so-called simple time each beat is naturally subdivided into two halves (and 4 quarters, 8 eighths, etc.)
The time signatures of ⁴/₄, ³/₄, ²/₄ and ²/₂ are examples of simple time.

In compound time the beat naturally subdivides into three.
The time signatures of ⁶/₈, ⁹/₈, and ¹²/₈ are examples of compound time.

Occasionally a group of three notes is used in simple time to fill a beat. In such a case the time signature is not changed, but the notes are grouped in threes with a figure 3 above or below them. This group is known as a triplet.

The illustration below shows the position of three triplet quavers in relation to two ordinary (half beat) quavers filling the same beat.
Each triplet quaver is two thirds of the length of a normal quaver.

Count the beats with quaver triplets like :

1 and a 2 and a

1 2 3 2 2 3

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RC 5.2 - Rhythm Segments with Triplet Quavers

There are five possible 2-beat Rhythm Segments containing triplet quavers without rests.
Note that the triplets always start on a downbeat.

Click on any Rhythm Segment to hear its Audio.

Rhythm Segments 11 and 12 are not easy to play accurately, as you must switch between sub-dividing the beat into threes on one beat and into twos on the other.

Clap or play a long with each of above demos to become thoroughly familiar with each one.

The above demos are in the same style as in Lesson 3
Each one plays the rhythm segment on beat 1 and 2 of each bar, while the metronome clicks like this :

First 2 bars = count in : 1 3 1 2 3 4

Next 4 bars = a click on each beat

Next 8 bars = a click on beats 1 and 3 of each bar

Next 8 bars = a click on beat 1 of each bar

Next 12 bars = a click on beat 1 once every 2 bars

Next 16 bars = a click on beat 1 once every 4 bars

Listen carefully, tap with your foot and try to clap or play the rhythm exactly at the right moment each time.

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RC 5.3 - Rhythm Patterns 85-108

Clap and play the Preparatory Exercise 4 a few times, until confident, before embarking on Rhythm Patterns 85 - 108.

Clap and play Rhythm Patterns 85 - 108 first at a comfortable tempo (about 60 bpm) until you can play them confidently without any mistakes.
Then :

Increase the tempo to improve your reading and playing skills

Slow down the tempo to improve your timing accuracy.

The downbeats 1 and 3 are shown below each bar. If you have trouble reading a particular pattern write the additional beat positions (numbers and plus signs) underneath it in pencil, but rub them out as soon as you can play the pattern with some confidence correctly.

Use the Circle of Fifths Bossa play-a-long tracks as explained in Lesson 3.

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RC 5.4 - Practice Material

Metronome		Play-a-Long tracks
Circle of 5ths		Dominant 7th chords
Rhythm Segments 9-13 with Rests
Preparatory Exercise 4	-	Demo
Rhythm Patterns 85-96	-	Demo (Bossa)
Rhythm Patterns 97-108	-	Demo (Bossa)

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