fbpx
Play Video

How to Use Triplets in Blues

Lesson ID: TB006

Triplets are the most important thing to learn if you want to play some sweet blues.

OK, maybe I’m overstating my case a bit, but trust me these little guys are incredibly useful. I find myself using triplets in nearly every tune I play or lick I write.

So, what are triplets you ask? It would be nice if triplets were some sort of special guitar gadget that made you a blues master shortly after purchasing one…or three. But, no that’s not it. Brace yourself though, because to talk triplets we have to talk theory.

The (Brief) Music Theory Behind Triplets

Triplets have to do with when you play notes. Think timing.

Basically a triplet is a subdivision of the main beat. For purposes of this lesson, each quarter note beat (counted 1 -2 -3 – 4) will now get three beats instead of just one. Count this out like this:

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

The theory on triplets gets a little muddy as you get much beyond this. But, as I’ve said in the past, I learn just enough theory to make me play better. So, we’ll cap this triplet talk here.

When you are ready, there are two ways I can help you:

Back Porch Blues Course:  A proven system to fingerpicking the blues.  This step-by-step course guides you through building fundamental fingerpicking skills.  Plus, you’ll learn three levels of a delta blues style performance study to put your new skills into action.

Become a myBGI Member: Get a proven plan to playing better blues with one of BGI’s structured roadmaps:  The Fretboard Roadmap, Fingerstyle Roadmap and Slide Guitar Roadmap.

Subscribe to Tuesday Blues

Join 13k+ Tuesday Blues subscribers for weekly lessons.  You’ll get strategies, tips and tutorials to help you play better blues guitar.

    myBGI Members:

    Members, click the button below to view this on myBGI and get access to additional lesson materials.

    Share this Lesson on:

    MORE LESSONS

    Table of Contents

    Guitar lessons Every Tuesday

    Start here

      Hey, Before You Go...

      GRAB THE FREE
      FRETBOARD TOOLKIT

      Unlock the fretboard so you can play great blues guitar.