How to Count Triplet Eighth Notes on the Violin
An eighth note, written in a 4/4 time signature is worth a half beat in a beat of music. The time signature is the element in sheet music that indicates how many beats there are in a measure of music. Two eighth notes make up one beat. A triplet, whether applied to eighth notes or any other note value in music, is the subdivision of a group of notes (three in the case of a triplet) in a way not permitted by the given time signature. Triplets are indicated in sheet music by a curved line above or below the note grouping and the number three. While the explanation of triplet eighth notes can be confusing, understanding the basics of timing can help you master the eighth note triplet on your violin.
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Instructions
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Establish the count of a piece of music by counting. Use a metronome to help you do this. Set the metronome at a fairly relaxed pace (60 beats per minute) until you are comfortable counting eighth note triplets.
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Play several bars of quarter notes and count one for each quarter note you play, all the way to four before you begin counting on one again. Each count of four equals a measure of music. Count quarter notes for three measures to establish the quarter note rhythm.
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Continue counting four-count measures, but play two notes for every count. Play two notes on count one, two notes on count two, two notes on count three and two notes on count four. That will give you four measures of music and eight notes. These are eighth notes. Two eighth notes make one quarter note and equal the same space in a measure of music.
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Switch to triplets as you continue counting from one to four. Play eighth note triplets in the same space you played two eighth notes. To accomplish this, play the notes slightly faster. The end result is three eighth notes on each count (one through four) instead of two. This creates what is called a triplet feel. Instead of eight eighth notes per measure, you actually play twelve eighth notes without taking up any more space.
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References
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