Drum triplets: what they are and how to practice them

A triplet is three equal notes played in the time you’d normally play two. On drums the most common one is the eighth-note triplet: three even hits on every beat, counted “1-trip-let, 2-trip-let.”

Read the short explanation below, or jump straight to the practice tool.

What is a triplet?

A triplet divides a beat into three equal parts instead of two. Picture one beat as a pizza. Straight eighth notes cut it into two slices. A triplet cuts the same pizza into three. The pizza doesn’t get any bigger; the slices just get a little smaller.

The key word is equal. All three notes have the same length, and the first one always lands right on the beat, together with the metronome click.

Why do drummers use triplets?

Triplets give music a rolling, bouncing feel that straight notes can’t. If a groove seems to lope or swing instead of march, there’s usually a triplet underneath it. You’ll find them in:

• Shuffle and blues grooves. The shuffle bounce comes from playing the first and last note of each triplet.
• Swing and jazz. In the “ding, ding-a ding” ride pattern, the quick “a” is the last note of a triplet.
• Slow rock and soul ballads. The hi-hat or ride often plays steady triplets over a slow backbeat.
• Drum fills. Triplets around the toms roll in a way straight 16th notes don’t.

Triplets also prepare you for 6/8 and 12/8 time, where each main beat naturally splits into three eighth notes.

How do you count triplets?

Say “1-trip-let, 2-trip-let, 3-trip-let, 4-trip-let,” one syllable per note. The number always falls on the beat, and “trip” and “let” fill the space before the next number.

Some teachers say “1-&-a” or “1-la-li” instead. The words matter less than saying three even syllables. If you can say it evenly, you can play it evenly. For more on counting, see how to count beats.

How are triplets written in drum notation?

A triplet is written as three notes beamed together with a small 3above or below them, often with a bracket. That 3 means “play these three notes in the time of two.” Without it, three eighth notes in 4/4 would take a beat and a half. With it, they fit into one beat.

You’ll see exactly this in the practice notation below. If note values are new to you, start with quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes.

What kinds of triplets are there?

Drummers mostly use three: quarter-note, eighth-note and sixteenth-note triplets. All three follow the same rule (three notes in the space of two); what changes is how long each note is.

Learn eighth-note triplets first. The other two come much easier once that one feels natural.

Which sticking should you use for triplets?

Alternating sticking (R L R, L R L) is the usual starting point. Your hands stay even, but the lead hand changes every beat, so beat 2 starts with your left. That feels odd at first and is worth getting used to.

Lead-hand sticking (R L L, R L L) puts your strong hand on every beat. It’s useful when your right hand needs to land on the beat, like on the ride cymbal. Try both below.

What mistakes do drummers make with triplets?

• Rushing the “let.” The last note creeps toward the next beat and the triplet turns lopsided.
• Galloping. Playing long-short-short instead of three equal notes. Counting out loud catches it, and so does recording a minute on your phone and listening back.
• Losing the beat when the hand switches. With alternating sticking, beat 2 starts on the left. Keep that note as strong as beat 1.
• Sliding back into straight 8ths. This happens most when you speed up or get tired.

How should you practice triplets?

1. Set the metronome slow, around 60 to 70 BPM.
2. Count “1-trip-let” out loud with the click before you play a note.
3. Play eighth-note triplets on a pad or snare, accenting the first note of each triplet.
4. When a full minute feels steady, raise the tempo by about 5 BPM.
5. Use the “8ths → triplets” exercise to feel the switch from two notes to three.
6. Turn the snare sound off and play along with just the click.