In this video
Learn about triplets to play folk style patterns, which are used in many of the best acoustic guitar songs ever
In this rhythm guitar lesson, we look at how to play triplets. These are useful for blues, folk and also some pop songs. Triplet strumming is a totally different rhythm to 8th strumming patterns we have looked at so far. We therefore have a different count, which is shown below.
NEW interactive TAB!
Set tempo to 80bpm (start slower if you need to), hit 'Loop', and jam along!
On mobile, double tap TAB to loop and click the 'cog' symbol to set bpm.
A song either uses a straight rhythm or a triplet rhythm. Straight rhythms, such as 8th strumming split a beat into 2. A triplet is a beat is split into 3, shown by the small ‘3’ above the notes linked together. The best way to count it is ‘1 & a 2 & a’ etc. Play each with a down strum.
Song examples with this strumming or similar include ‘Mull Of Kintyre’ by Paul McCartney, ‘Iris’ by the Goo Goo Dolls, ‘Tell Her This’ by Del Amitri.
Course Outline
Strumming Course