Rhythmic Subdivision and Triplets

The number of beats in each measure is indicated by the upper number of the time signature. Each of the following examples have a metronome click for each beat. The click is not to be heard by the audience. In recording sessions the click is often placed on a "click track" that is heard while recording but not during playback. Click tracks are audio versions of the conductors wand in a symphony orchestra. Conductors and click tracks indicate the basic Subdivision of the beats written in the time signature and are not heard by the audience. Changing the time signature can change the basic sub division or amount of clicks per measure without changing the sound as heard by the audience.

Eighth Notes

In 9/8 Time there are nine eighth notes in each measure. One click for each eighth note. Click the treble clef then count nine clicks before you start.

Click the treble clef then count nine metronome clicks before you start.

Eighth Note Triplets And Rhythmic Subdivision

In 3/4 Time there are three quarter notes or three clicks per measure. Eighth Note Triplets divides each quarter note by three, or three eighth note triplets for each click. The difference between eighth notes in 9/8 time and eighth note triplets in 3/4 time is the number of clicks in each measure and called Rhythmic Subdivision.

Click the treble clef then count three metronome clicks before you start.

Quarter Note Triplets

Rhythms can be notated many different ways. By changing the lower number from four to two in the time signature the basic subdivision has three half notes per measure instead of three quarter notes. The Quarter Note Triplet divides each half note by three. In 3/2 Time there are nine quarter note triplets in each measure. Notice there are still three clicks in each measure indicated by the upper number in the key signature. The difference is in the notation not the sound as heard by the audience.

Click the treble clef then count three metronome clicks before you start.

Half Note Triplets

The Half Note Triplet divides each whole note by three. In 3/1 Time there are nine half note triplets in each measure.

Click the treble clef then count three metronome clicks before you start.

Subdividing The Click And Eighth Note Triplets

Because the time signature is 6/8 the metronome will click six beats for each measure. There nine quarter note triplets in each measure.

Click the treble clef then count six metronome clicks before you start.

Subdividing The Click And Quarter Note Triplets

Because the time signature is 6/4 the metronome will click six beats for each measure. There nine quarter note triplets in each measure.

Click the treble clef then count six metronome clicks before you start.

Subdividing The Click And Half Note Triplets

Because the time signature is 6/2 Time the metronome will click six beats for each measure. There are six half notes, three whole notes and nine half note triplets in each measure.

Click the treble clef then count six metronome clicks before you start.

Remember, the goal is memorization. Not only will your fingers memorize the positions of the notes, your ears will also memorize the sounds on the guitar called Ear Training, so make sure your guitar is in tune. You can tune your guitar by ear to the midi player by clicking the tune logo or tune by eye using an electronic guitar tuner. It is recommended that you learn both methods.