How to Play Triplets on Drums

How to Play Triplets on Drums: Breaking Down the Beat

Getting the feel for new rhythms is one of the most exciting parts of learning the drums. Once you master the basic beats, you get to start adding in new patterns that make your playing sound incredibly dynamic and fun.

Let’s take a look at the Triplet.

The Power of Three

The secret to understanding this rhythm is right there in the name. “Triplet” comes from the word triple, which means three.

Whenever you are playing a triplet, you are simply taking a beat and dividing it into three equal parts. So, if you are playing a groove and have a space that normally fits two standard eighth notes, you can swap them out to play three eighth-note triplets in that exact same amount of time. It gives the beat a fantastic, rolling momentum.

How to Count It Out Loud

Counting out loud is the absolute best way to lock a new rhythm into your muscle memory. To count triplets evenly, we use a modern, highly effective method that gives your hands exactly three syllables to play. You simply say: Trip – a – let

By saying “Trip-a-let,” as you play these, you are training your mind and your hands to play three evenly spaced notes.

Mastering the Sticking

To truly master the triplet, you need to practice your “sticking”—the order in which your hands hit the drum. Start by working on these two patterns on your snare or practice pad:

1. Lead with the Left: Start with your Left hand, follow with the Right, and finish with the Left (L – R – L).

2. Reverse It: Now, start with your Right hand, follow with the Left, and finish with the Right (R – L – R).

Once you feel comfortable alternating between these two patterns, try to speed up a little, while reversing your order. This is where the challenge is with new drummers trying to learn triplets. Take it slow, and master the slow triplet reversal, then speed up gradually. Once you’ve gotten to a place where you are comfortable alternating your hands, and speeds, you are ready for the next step.

From here, you can start creating endless combinations by moving your hands around the drum set, hitting different toms, or even swapping out a hand stroke for your bass drum. Triplet hand/foot combinations can really level up your drumming, but don’t be afraid to start slow.

Also, as you are learning triplets, and playing around the kit say “Trip-a-let, Trip-a-let, Trip-a-let” because it helps you stay in formation while learning. You’ll get the hang of it in time, just keep practicing and it will just come automatically.

Want to Learn to Read Music and Play Tiplets on the Drums?

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