WHAT'S THE CORRECT WAY TO COUNT TRIPLETS?

[@JaydonTobler]

I always use: "1-Trip-Let, 2-Trip-Let, 3-Trip-Let, 4-Trip-Let" That way you can easily tell where you are in the measure. You can easily say something like: "Okay, I'm going to accent the downbeats and the 'Lets." The reason I don't use "1-Ta-Ta" is because you have to specify which Ta you plan on accenting. It would be like counting sixteenth notes like "1-&-&-&, 2-&-&-&.." Likewise, the reason I don't use "Trip-A-Let" is because you now have no idea where you are in the measure. For example: 4/4 ]: Trip-A-Let, Trip-A-Let, Trip-A-Let, Trip-A-Let, Trip-A-Let, Trip-A-Let, Trip-A-Let, Trip-A-Let, Trip-A-Let, Trip-A-Let, Trip-A-Let, Trip-A-Let, Trip-A-Let Now what downbeat was that last one? Exactly.

[@CaptainCummerbund]

I was taught to say tri-puh-let (saying triplet but to the triplet timing)

[@76JStucki]

My first teacher had me say 1-is-a 2-is-a 3-is-a... That way they are differentiated from 16th/8th combinations and it flows easily when you have to count fast. Always worked really great for me.

[@grandpow]

This is great

[@danjf1]

Throughout my drumming career I always counted them as my mentor and percussion teacher, CL, taught me: "1-trip-let, 2-trip-let, 3-trip-let, 4-trip-let, etc. It's no wonder I struggled to count them and just had a natural metronome in my mind when I dealt with triplets since counting out "1-trip-let" was so cumbersome and awkward, especially at faster tempos. But as you said, when talking to others in my band or in the studio I would use the "conventional" 1-trip-let, 2-trip-let to let others know where in the music I/we were. This is A great question with no standardized answer - well done, Stephen!

[@GhosterAndRush35]

1 AND A 2 AND A 3 AND A 4 AND A

[@thestagerocks]

1 a let 2 a let 3 a let 4 a let

[@offbrandman4453]

1 trip let 2 trip let 3 trip let 4 trip let

[@tricktipp927]

how can you count til 4 when there are only 3 triplets?

[@milkman1649]

that or 1 e a 2 e a....

[@boozalm3715]

Nope

[@leontienjun1098]

1 punch man 2 punch man

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Love it

[@aprillavai6679]

This is exactly where my brain is today as I prepare to introduce my students to triplets. Thank you for this video! ❤

[@GamingDrummer89]

I was taught "trip-u-let". Along with that I've also become accustomed to going "duh-duh-duh duh-duh-duh..." for slow to medium speed triplets (whatever subdivision they may be, usually 8th triplets) and "duh-guh-duh-guh-duh-guh" for faster ones (usually 16th triplets), although that second one is tough for me to do out loud. I can hear them that way in my head, though.

[@shivangkapadia21]

I use the South Indian method for counting triplets. It's a simple 3 note grouping called Ta Ki Ta (pronounced Taa- Kee- Tta)- you roll your tongue for the last syllable. It's super effective and simple once you get the hang of it. Besides, you can be super fluid at faster tempos too. Reference video where he demonsrates counting triplets at 1.10: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqXTmqyNbKp5f7s

[@jnelson508]

I was always taught to say "merr-i-ly". It works for me even for fast passages. I'm a classical flautist and former violinist. Quarter note triplets are more problematic. I often rely on just knowing how it sounds or will flip from counting 4/4 and count 2/4 so I don't have to struggle with any syncopation.

[@harrisonmyers1572]

It really depends on the scenario in my case. For example, I count eighth-note triplets as "one-and-a, two-and-a, three-and-a, four-and-a"; but if there are sixteenth-note triplets I count it as "one-la-li and-la-li, two-la-li and-la-li, three-la-li and-la-li, four-la-li and-la-li". The latter is especially helpful if I'm playing at faster tempos.

[@kvancsengun6679]

I go with ta-ki-ta :) for upbeat swing etc fast tempos: ta..., ta-uh-ta, ta... Hope this helps some of you :D

[@lobbyrobby]

Eventually I'll start working on triplets. I've been pondering how to count them for weeks tho haha. I like 1 trip let, 2 trip let, etc. But I think that works best for 1/8 notes triplets? I'm excited to see what you say in this video.

[@paulrose343]

Stephen! Dude, I am a huge fan, and can not claim to be on your skill level with my execution of drumming ....yet ;) However....lol...bare with me.... I won't say that it is "wrong" to count them as anything other than "1 trip let 2. trip. let "...etc. But for some reason, this topic is one I feel strongly-ish about. I feel we often miss an important topic in this conversation/eventual fist fight. And that topic is the need for each spot on the timeline to have a single and consistent name. As we zoom in on the timeline, we must stay true to the already given names. So if we have 1. 2. 3. 4. notated as quarter notes, when we zoom in and discover eighth notes we do not rename 1,2,3, nor four. Instead we now add to the mix the "ands" 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and (as we all know and agree). Zoom in again and discover sixteenth notes. We add "e" as well as "a", since 1 as well as "and" are already named we have so far "1 e and a 2 e and a" --they live at .00 .25 .50 and .75 now dividing in threes, if you agree that each spot on the timeline must be uniquely named we rule out "1 and a" or "trip uh. let " because "and " lives at .50 not .3333333. And we can't rename "one" into "trip". So yes you COULD say to me that it is "one shut up two shut up " as .33333333. and .6666667, the newbies at this point on the time line, are free reign to be named. But cmon man....its feels good to call em like ya see em! They are triplets!! Right? Here's all I'm sayin.......it isn't 1 and a 2 and a---------imagine a rhythm of the first quarter note, next note lives at .3333333. then the "and" at .50--------it is not common but IS a rhythm ---would you say "one. and. and (cause in "one and a" land the "and" is falling in at .33333, follow me?) So if I said the rhythm is "one and a two let" (hopefully in time. and not linear like the way you just read it in your head and judged me for)---that does convey where each one is played!!......unless that was the "let of four", not three the way I meant it....... dude just admit it, 1 trip let. 2 trip let Your awesome man, love your playing and teaching!! -Paul

[@jeremylandig2069]

I totally agree on the "and-a" not being used for triplets. It's too easily confused with an 8th-16th-16th combo for beginners. Especially in choir. I use 1-pl-let 2-pl-let 3-pl-let because saying "trip" is cumbersome at fast tempos 1---let 2---let 3--let totally rocks for swing eights. and 1-pl--- 2-pl-- etc.. for me does a better job of keeping the stress off the 2nd note of the triplet just my 2 cents

[@benozw12]

how do I count quarter note triplets against counting 1 2 3 4? Is it 1 a2n 3 a4n ?

[@petestix46]

I was shown 1ta ta 2ta ta so on.for trips 1ta ta and ta ta 2 ta ta and ta ta so on for 16th trips. I guess it depends on who tells you first or what book you first pick up?? I just kept on with it cos it works for me..

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Pete Davis I changed my counting once I got heavy into jazz and was subdividing triplets at higher rates of speed. Unfortunately I'm nerd enough to remember sitting in the practice room having a HUGE debate with myself over various syllables (1-la-le, bu-ga-da...the possibilities were endless lol). I chose 1-la-le and then re-trained myself to count that way.

[@rjkade]

I count them as 1-an-a. (Note: I say "an" instead of "and/&" as to not mix it up with 16th's or 8th's) My original teacher counted that way but my current one counts them as 1-trip-let. Personally I like 1-an-a better as it's sort of similar to 8th and 16th note counting.

[@bassescovered7037]

I like your method best. PS- Gumboot Soup is amazing is it your favourite Gizz album?

[@rjkade]

@@bassescovered7037 Thanks man. My fave is probably FMB sorta because it was the first one i listened to so I’ve kind of had more time to appreciate it in a way. I made Gumboot my profile pic as one my friends hates the opening drum fill to Beginners Luck and so every time I’d comment on one of his videos he’d be reminded of it haha.

[@bassescovered7037]

@@rjkade ah that’s pretty funny. I think the first Gizz I listened to was some track off oddments and I remember thinking “what the fuck, why’d my friend recommend these weirdos”. A few weeks later I learned they had a microtonal album. I gave FMB a listen and I loved it. After that I heard IIYMF and I was hooked.

[@rjkade]

@@bassescovered7037 yeah i don’t think oddemnts is the best place for people to start considering it is a little spotty/half-baked. I’d recommended people start with almost any album after oddements or float along.

[@burton604]

I like to use 1-po-li-&-po-li. Works wonders for me. Plus it will sound distinctly as it dosent match with any of the drum sound.

[@gDhP3786gubee]

...but where to start the song when you count the triplets? maybe you'll go: 1..2..3..4 (music starts) or: 1..2..(music starts) or: 1..2..3..(music starts) or count them all: 1ta ta 2 tata 3 tata 4(music starts) which one of them fits the beginning of 3/4 time song. thank you!

[@thehum]

I think I learned formally: 1-and-a-2-and-a-3-and-a-4-and-a but if I'm verbalizing, Duh-guh-duh-Duh-guh-duh-Duh-guh-duh-Duh-guh-duh

[@soulstalgiarecords77740]

I kinda made my own count for triplets and sextuplets that does not confuse me at all: A-B-C; B-B-C; C-B-C; D-B-C... (At least like that the the first letter of the beat still represents the number of the beat... I.e. A is one, B is two, Three is C & D, is forth letter of alphabet... In septuplets, I count it as A-B-C-A-B-C; B-B-C-B-B-C; C-B-C-C-B-C; D-B-C-D-B-C.

[@brianscanlon2512]

Yes it does matter! There is one educationally sound manner and it is the one connected to meter, therefore 1-trip-let, 2 trip-let etc. Making triplet a three syllable word removes the meter, and yes meter matters! For those who use 1 +-a, that should always mean an eight followed by two sixteenths. When using mnemonics it is a great way to express the sound such as straw-berr-y, but coming back to meter and education is important. Don't teach rhythm without the logic, then your are simply creating parrots vs. musical thinkers. However it you teach to well, then they become independent learners and your out of business. Continue to learn everyday and don't justify short cuts for short comings. It is a cop out to say counting triplets properly is to difficult, if so do it slow and understand it thoroughly first.

[@Avieon_]

I do it 1-la-li 2-la-li

[@RickMonyer]

I've been taught to count 1/8 note triplets as ONE-trip-let, TWO-trip-let, etc. The 1/16 note triplets I count as ONE-duh-wuh-AND-duh-wuh, TWO-duh-wuh-AND-duh-wuh, etc. I never count 1/4 note triplets and it's more of a feel that I've developed. For those who are unfamiliar with 1/4 note triplets; you take a full measure of 1/8 note triplets and play every other note. 1+(T)+L (2)+T+(L) 3+(T)+L (4)+T+(L)

[@cheezruff]

1 o let 2 o let 3 o let 4 o let. DO NOT say 1 and ah 2 and a etc. BECAUSE that is ALREADY the universal way of counting 1st, 3rd, and 4th partials of 16th notes. It should be against the law to count triplets using any of the 16th note counting syllables. Avoiding confusion is the goal.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

I will agree with you on this point (although counting the other way is fine...it's just massively confusing to beginners). I like to have the counting system be something different than I use with 16th notes.

[@cheezruff]

Thanks, I know my post is rather dogmatic, but glad you support keeping 16th notes and triplets in separate camps. I always enjoy your vids! Keep on keepin' on!

[@scottswift8153]

8th notes 1&a 16th notes 1teta&teta

[@davidwallace2950]

Nomatter which method I think it's best to start with the number of the triplet in the measure.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

I would agree with you

[@JustForComments666]

Spanish is my main language, so I count "Un-ta-ta, dos-ta-ta, tres-ta-ta, cua-ta-ta"

[@soulfur1031]

I usually count it 1-la-ti, or trip-la-ti

[@stephenshia]

I count 16 notes triplets as 1 & a 1 & a 2 & a 2 & a 3& a 3& a 4 & a 4 & a ( works better for me than the 1 triplet 2 triplet thingy, or Im just more familiar with its sound. dont know. after all we all find our own way of counting it fast and steady I guess.

[@WilberWisdom]

OneLayLee TwoLayLee ThreeLayLee FourLayLee always flowed the best for me.

[@garrettburleigh7754]

Thanks for all the help. For some reason the way you teach seems to click with me.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Glad to hear it!

[@eskews__me]

Stephen, or somebody, i need some help trying to figure out the subdivision of something. There is a video on my channel that has me playing it.

[@eskews__me]

+Noah Eskew read the description if you watch it!

[@AndyBadalamenti]

I use "harmony" (HAR-MO-NY)

[@mghc7]

My drum student came up with Pokemon...hahaha it works

[@timinator456]

I always thought "1ea 2ea" and so on was the way to go. No &s there. However when you go sixteenth note triplets, "1ea&ea 2ea&ea".

[@coal_91]

I think the most easiest way to count them is 1 + a 2 + a.... Or 1+a 1+a 2+a 2+a if you count 16th Note triplets. I think nearly everyone of us Counts 8th notes and 16th notes in the Common way (1+2/1e+a), so its very logical to count them aus 1+a 2+a 3+a 4+a ...

[@OPMatar]

As a violinist, I just count them 1-2-3 ?? never had issues with them

[@Aviellan]

I use konnakol for most of my counting, so Tha-Ki-Ta

[@impalerblack]

can i count badada badada badada?

[@pinkfloydfan417]

I count "Am-pulet 2-pulet 3-pulet 4-pulet". It's easy for me to say at faster speeds.

[@aBachwardsfellow]

- this is also my favorite way of counting and teaching - slight difference in spelling to keep the "triplet" word -- 1-pl-et 2-pl-et 3-pl-et 4-pl-et (and yes - purists - I realize I'm turning a single syllable "-plet" into 2 syllables ... but - I'm from the say-owth, and we-all do tha-et da-own he-are - y'know ;-)

[@jeremylandig2069]

I'm a damn Yankee and I do the same thing :) And my 9th graders giggle at "pull it, pull it, pull it."

[@thomaswilliams3694]

1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a.

[@alexwhite3988]

My albeit terrible method 1 2 3, 2 2 3, 3 2 3, 4 2 3. Struggled the most with equating anything trip and let to the partials so decided to just use numers

[@Chipayv]

I was taught 1-trip-let, but if it's fast I count 1-2-3 2-2-3 3-2-3 4-2-3.

[@dragonmancoleman]

1-and-a 2-and-a 3-and-a etc.

[@Matthias_M_]

Im from Switzerland i i count them as Ta-Te-ti , but you need to see that we pronounce the i,e and a diffrent as you do.

[@steampunkhulk5559]

If you count them 1 2 3 you can count sextuplets as 1 + 2 + 3 +. But this would probably throw off counting for 8th notes. But just thought someone might wanna know

[@DiegoHL]

Are you ready? ..... TA-KI-TA TA-KI-TA TA-KI-TA For quintuplets.... Ta-ri-ge-na-dum My language is spanish, so both sound quite cool

[@rumbachumba330]

Diego H L No me sale tarigenadum :(

[@DiegoHL]

y si tratas dos- tres: ta-ka-ta-ki-ta Cuidado con las acentuaciones

[@DiegoHL]

***** y si tratas dos- tres: ta-ka-ta-ki-ta Cuidado con las acentuaciones

[@alexz2702]

Quarter note triplet?

[@martingeorgiev999]

1-&-a-2-&-a-3-&-a-4-&-a. But it can get confusing when you change from triplets to standart I mean because you count 8th notes with & so ...

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Yep, that’s why I don’t like counting them that way

[@Omelette_Gaming]

trip-ple-let, trip-ple-let. however when its repetitive is I count it trip-ple-let 2-trip-let and so on

[@Phrank_Trappa]

I just count 1 E & 2 E & 3 E & 4 E &

[@Phrank_Trappa]

Tim Hensley It's very easy to do this at high tempos as well.

[@Cpt_Guirk]

Thats my prefered method because the shuffle groove gets the &. &1 &2 &3 &4

[@24HRP24]

I count it as trip-er-let

[@yuricroscenko9767]

I'm italian and i use Napoli: na po li na po li XD

[@DrumsWithTaylor]

1- trip- let, 2- trip-let etc:

[@nameloss]

***** same!

[@grandolddrummer]

We should all agree the correct way to count quintuplets is Jen-na Ja-me-son

[@snarf2002]

I will always call it miggity miggity mack from now on

[@marcoevans2155]

I think of a waltz. One two step, two two step, three two step, four two step.

[@anguslong1763]

I was taught evenly

[@nudnick1627]

1 trip let 2 trip let..... That's a question like ketchup or mustard on a hot dog...lol

[@rborawski]

1 trip-let 2 trip-let 3 trip-let 4 trip-let

[@schmoshi]

| *1* *2* Tri-Poe-Let *3* Tri-Poe-Let-Tri-Poe-Let-& | 1 *2* Tri-Poe-Let *3* Tri-Poe-Let-Tri-Poe-Let-& :|| "Cue John Williams": DUN DUN DUNN DUN Dun DUN dun Dun DUUUNN !

[@justinmason100]

One two three, Two two three, Three two three

[@bobparslow323]

It may be straight out of the "nursery" but MERRILY works for me...ME...RRI...LY

[@Lizaryd8]

Is it necessary to count triplets? It doesn't helping me. I just play triplets how I feel it. Is it wrong?

[@businessmonkeyfilms]

***** Well, as Stephen says the most important thing is that it works for you, but the problem you might run into is that by not having a way of counting, you can get confused and start going from a triplet feeling on a 4/4 bar to a straight 4/4 counting. I've done that too many times when I was younger so when I learned a good system that worked for me I relied on that to help me remain perfectly on the great feeling that is to play triplets or sixtuplets on a 4/4 beat. I use the indian 'Takidimi' system because it's universal for all subdivisions of beats and easy to pronounce fast, once you've gone that past the fact that it doesn't have numeric values. If you're interested you can read more about it here, but make sure you just keep doing what works best for you (and the people you play with): www.takadimi.net/FAQs.html

[@albanianchinchilla5209]

Bum-ble bee 🐝🐝🐝

[@RoryChapman]

1-trip-let-2-trip-let-3-trip-let-4-trip-let- 1-ah-trip-ah-let-ah-2-ah-trip-ah-let-ah-3-ah-trip-ah-let-ah-4-ah-trip-ah-let-ah

[@infometatv]

1 ti ta 2 ti ta How you count quintuplets?

[@ultraag8]

1&a 2&a 3&a 4&a for me

[@aggzish]

I've come across three ways. 1 tut tut 1 2 3 2 2 3 3 2 3 4 2 3 1 trip let

[@LTDLimiTeD1995]

Trip o let Trop o let.

[@Pauly421]

I never count in my head, I think my left foot does my counting for me lol.

[@chikakumask4693]

lol bad habit

[@elijahbreakbee8217]

ta-ki-ta, ti-ki-ta, ti-ti-ti

[@jonathangomez9901]

I think of Barracuda

[@ghostflash0]

I was taught tri-pl-et

[@xxrobcollinsxx]

1-i-d-&-i-d-2-i-d-&-i-d-3-i-d-&-i-d-4-i-d-&-i-d Not using the full "i" sound, more like the "i" sound as part of the word "in". Makes it easy to count quickly.

[@McIntosh1006]

Count tripplets as: 1,e,&,2,e,&,3,e,&,4,e,&... Sixteenth notes are: 1,e,&,a,2,e,&,a,3,e,&,a,4,e,&,a Can't be any easier or less confusing.

[@jeremylandig2069]

I hope you're being sarcastic! Any beginner that has learned "1,e,&,a" will likely look at "1,e,&" and then count it as 16th/16th/8th because they have been taught that "&" lives halfway between the beats

[@ThomasLorenz1]

Ta Ke Te (Konnakol)

[@gamerx07gaming28]

Either 1 & a, but slightly off beat, or ill say trip-le-it

[@JacobCorumWilliams]

1-trip-let 2-trip-let...

[@bswisher52777]

1-uh-tee-tay-uh-tuh 2-uh-tee-tay-uh-tuh.....

[@aBachwardsfellow]

a variation that's a little easier to say fast for 16th triplets: 1-uh-po-tay-tuh-buh 2-uh-po-tay-uh-buh.....

[@dmgsoultogetherness6667]

hum-n-ah..

[@jimslade2264]

1-an-a 2-an-a 3-an-a...

[@thestagerocks]

Come on guys... there's a really easy way. 1 a let 2 a let 3 a let 4 a let or... 1 a let and a let 2 a let and a let

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Totally agree...that is an easy way. But not the only way ;^)

[@tdrum21]

1-a-dah 2-a-dah etc...

[@nobot87]

1loli2loli... Saying "1triplet" is difficult at 150 bpm. Loli is the easiest one to say over and over at fast tempos. IMO

[@brianbaker5640]

One a la two a la ….pretty rhythmical aye?

[@lindsayschreiber9804]

Good info at the beginning but dude solo long winded. get to the real stuff I needed to hear counting triplets faster please

[@jahaziel1997]

Me-xi-co ! (:

[@Nicktolias]

Bu bi tu lol!

[@andreahudson8488]

this is oliver hudson can you explain to me sexduplets i'm 50 and single.

[@travisali8621]

1 La Li 2 La Li .....

[@Drumboy5165]

Very poorly on my part.............. :-/

[@rodrigotsss]

MU - SI - CA

[@baqx123]

1 te ta 2 te ta

[@chrismouton1985]

This guy taught me nothing. Just use the method you're used to. Yeah, thanks bro.

[@janpeugeot5411]

BS !