[einarabelc5]

Hi All,

I posted the following question to freedrumlessons youtube channel. Directed to Jared Falk.
In a nutshell the question is: How is it possible that a triplet of 8th notes or 16th notes last less than a regular 8th note or 16th note.

For example, according to the videos posted by Jared a 4/4 measure contains either eight 8th notes or sixteen 16th notes. But the same 4/4 measure contains twelve 8th notes and twenty four 16th notes. How is that possible if they last the same?

Here's the original question with links to each video (for 8th notes triplets only)

"
In this video:

http://www.freedruml...te-triplets.php

You describe that the first measure in the sheet music is made of 8th notes triplets in 4 by 4 timing. This is confusing me because of the following.

In the counting quarter notes video:

http://www.freedruml...arter-notes.php

you specify that each note represents a quarter of the whole measure (therefore 4 by 4 comprises a full measure)

Then in this video:

http://www.freedruml...ighth-notes.php

You specify that 8th notes are doulbe the speed/half the time of quarter notes. This means that a 4/4 measure is comprised of eight 8th notes.

How is it possible that a 4/4 measure can be comprised of twelve 8th note triplets if the last the same amount of time as regular 8th notes?

Do they?

Thank You."

[osirus211]

Eighth notes and eighth note triplets do NOT last the same amount of time. 8 eighth notes or 12 eighth note triples in one measure of 4/4.

[einarabelc5]

osirus211, on 17 October 2011 - 12:22 PM, said:

Eighth notes and eighth note triplets do NOT last the same amount of time. 8 eighth notes or 12 eighth note triples in one measure of 4/4.

Ok, thanks!

It didn't make any sense otherwise. For some reason my previous (classical guitar) theory training has been confusing me. I swore they were the same note.

[osirus211]

einarabelc5, on 17 October 2011 - 12:25 PM, said:

Ok, thanks!

It didn't make any sense otherwise. For some reason my previous (classical guitar) theory training has been confusing me. I swore they were the same note.

Just remember that a triplet is not just a group of 3 notes. Triplets are like their own type of entity that don't exactly follow what your intuition might suggest for a simple group of three.

If there's any lingering confusion, don't be afraid to ask...

[Poco Askew]

Triplets are 50% faster than their "regular" notes. That's why you play twelve 8th triplets in the same amount of time you would play eight standard 8th notes. In other words, you play (150%) 1.5 times as many in the same amount of time.

[Tamatrainee]

If you count out loud (as you should) then the numbers line up and the notes fall in between e.g.

Eighth notes 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Eighth note triplet 1 trip let 2 trip let 3 trip let 4 trip let

Similarly

Sixteenth notes 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4

Sixteenth note triplets 1 trip let and trip let 2 trip let and trip let 3 trip let and trip let 4

[einarabelc5]

Tamatrainee, on 17 October 2011 - 01:53 PM, said:

If you count out loud (as you should) then the numbers line up and the notes fall in between e.g.

Eighth notes 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Eighth note triplet 1 trip let 2 trip let 3 trip let 4 trip let

Similarly

Sixteenth notes 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4

Sixteenth note triplets 1 trip let and trip let 2 trip let and trip let 3 trip let and trip let 4

Sure I did all the exercises. But it didn't make any mathematical sense to me. Looking back at it, I should have listened to the metronome to see how: 1 trip let takes one beat. Looking at your reply I can see also how it makes sense graphically(only when I edit it and it's on text mode) HTML kinda screws it up.

This post has been edited by einarabelc5: 17 October 2011 - 05:05 PM

[Tamatrainee]

einarabelc5, on 17 October 2011 - 05:04 PM, said:

Sure I did all the exercises. But it didn't make any mathematical sense to me. Looking back at it, I should have listened to the metronome to see how: 1 trip let takes one beat. Looking at your reply I can see also how it makes sense graphically(only when I edit it and it's on text mode) HTML kinda screws it up.

Yes, I had them lined up when I typed it in but the final version didn't keep the spacing.
You are also correct that it's easier to play these with a metronome as the numbers will line up with the click and the trip let part falls between the clicks.
After a bit of practice you can try playing 4 eighth notes followed by 4 eighth note triplets.

This post has been edited by Tamatrainee: 17 October 2011 - 11:24 PM