Index
Introduction
There are twelve skills to master in Level Two of the Achieve Zone on piano. This blog focuses on ‘Row Seven’ where the focus is to be able to play a piece that includes triplets. Triplets are a fundamental rhythmic element in music that add a unique feel and groove to your playing. In this blog post, we'll explore what triplets are, how to count them, and practice techniques to incorporate them into your piano repertoire.
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What are Triplets?
Triplets are a group of three notes played in the time of two notes of the same value. This means that three notes are squeezed into the space normally occupied by two, creating a sense of urgency and forward motion. Triplets can be applied to any note value, such as eighth notes, quarter notes, or half notes.
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You can find triplet symbols in the Level 2 Symbols Book. You can purchase this book from Amazon on https://amzn.to/3CrSTwF . This is an Amazon Affiliates link where we make a little extra to help fund the gem-bouree (gem shop) in reception.
Counting Triplets
The key to mastering triplets lies in understanding how to count them. Instead of counting "1, 2, 3," you count "1-trip-let, 2-trip-let." This helps you internalize the rhythmic pattern and maintain a steady tempo. A three syllable word is another way to help you achieve the correct rhythmic style; suggestions include choc-o-late, won-der-ful or beau-ti-ful.
Practice Techniques
To become proficient at playing piano triplets, begin by practicing slowly and evenly with a metronome. Increase your speed as you grow more comfortable and confident. Practice each hand separately, then both hands together to develop coordination and independence. Listening to and imitating recordings of pieces that feature triplets can also enhance your rhythmic feel and phrasing. Don't forget to incorporate triplet practice into different rhythmic patterns to challenge yourself and expand your rhythmic vocabulary.
Incorporating Triplets into Your Playing
After you have mastered the basics of triplets, start incorporating them into your piano playing. Play arpeggios with a triplet feel to create a flowing and expressive sound. Use a little pedal to add some character. Practice scales with triplets to develop finger dexterity and rhythmic precision. Start with a slow tempo to ensure accurate placement of the notes. Improvisation allows for more flexibility with timing and brings a fun characteristic to musical ideas. Add a touch of swing and syncopation. Finally, learn to play the three repertoire pieces below that feature triplets with a natural and effortless feel.
Achieve Pieces
A La Rueda de San Miguel. Level 2 Achieve. TQ Piano
‘A La Rueda de San Miguel’ is a Mexican Spanish children’s circle game. The game originated in Spain and has changed over time. Requiring several players, it promotes friendship and physical activity.
Don Miguel was a hardworking man who transported honey from town to town on his donkey. His son admired him deeply, but his son's friends mocked his father's humble profession. One day, while Don Miguel was traveling along a narrow cliffside path, one of his son's bullies attempted to obstruct him. In the ensuing struggle, the bully lost his footing and nearly fell off the cliff. Don Miguel, acting quickly, pushed the boy to safety but tragically fell to his own death. Overcome with remorse, the friends of Don Miguel's son created this game to honor his memory. (Carrillo, 2016)
Lyrics
A la rueda, a la rueda de San Miguel
Todos traen su caja de miel.
A lo maduro, a lo maduro
Que se voltee (nombre del niño) de burro
Game Instructions
The children hold hands in a circle with one child in the middle. The child in the middle calls out another child's name, singing it on the last line of the song. The named child turns their back to the circle and the song continues until every child has their back turned. The song is repeated until every child faces the inner circle once again.(Yannucci , 2025)
Download the Music
One Bottle of Pop. Level 2 Achieve. TQ Piano
The children's campfire song "One Bottle of Pop," which can be found in multiple arrangements in the TQ Level 2 Achieve Zone, is a musical round (or polyphonic perpetual canon) that was first published in 1988 in the book The World’s Best Funny Songs (Nelson, 1988). In a round, different voices enter at separate points, as exemplified by the familiar children's songs "London's Burning" and "Frere Jacques." The vocal score of "One Bottle of Pop" indicates the entry point for each voice at the change in musical style.
Lyrics
One bottle of pop, two bottles of pop, three bottles of pop, four bottles of pop,
Five bottles of pop, six bottles of pop, seven, seven bottles of pop.
Don’t throw your junk in my backyard, my backyard, my backyard,
Don’t throw your junk in my backyard,My backyard is full.
Fish and chips and vinegar, vinegar, vinegar,
Fish and chips and vinegar, vinegar pop!
Download the Music
Song of the Volga Boatman
Эй, ухнем! ,"The Song of the Volga Boatmen," a Russian folk song collected by Mily Balakirev in 1866, was sung by barge-haulers on the Volga River. The song inspired Ilya Repin's painting "Barge Haulers on the Volga." The piece features a crotchet triplet rhythm, possibly reflecting variations in the original oral tradition.
Lyrics
In Russian
Ey, ukhnem!
Ey, ukhnem!
Yeshcho razik, yeshcho da raz!
Ey, ukhnem!
Ey, ukhnem!
Yeshcho razik, yeshcho da raz!
In English
Yo, heave ho!
Yo, heave ho!
Once more, once again, still once more
Yo, heave ho!
Yo, heave ho!
Once more, once again, still once more
Download the Music
Amazing Grace | Level 2 Achieve. TQ Piano
Amazing Grace was written in 1772 by John Newton (1725 - 1807). It was written from personal experience following a life of twists and turns that ended up with him washed up on the shores of County Donegal in Ireland in 1748 after a severe shipwreck and he called out to God for mercy.
He was ordained in 1764 and became a curate where he began writing hymns. Amazing Grace was written togo with a sermon on New Years Day of 1773 (Library of Congress, n.d.).
Lyrics
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
We have already come
'Twas grace that brought us safe thus far
And grace will lead us home
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun
Download the Music
Conclusion
Triplets are a valuable tool for any pianist looking to expand their rhythmic palette and add a new dimension to their playing. By understanding the basics of triplets, practicing diligently, and incorporating them into your repertoire, you can master this essential rhythmic element and elevate your piano performance to new heights.
Glossary of Key Terms
Arpeggio: A broken chord where the notes are played or sung in succession, usually ascending or descending.
Crotchet: A musical note with a duration of one beat in 4/4 time (also known as a quarter note).
Harmony: The simultaneous combination of musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions.
Melody: A sequence of single musical notes that is musically satisfying.
Metronome: A mechanical or electronic device that produces a regular, adjustable beat to aid in keeping time.
Minim: A musical note with a duration of two beats in 4/4 time (also known as a half note).
Quaver: A musical note with a duration of half a beat in 4/4 time (also known as an eighth note).
Repertoire: A collection of musical pieces that a performer knows and is prepared to play.
Rhythm: The pattern of stressed and unstressed beats in music; the organisation of musical time.
Scale: A sequence of musical notes ordered by pitch, often used for练习 finger technique and understanding tonal relationships.
Semiquaver: A musical note with a duration of a quarter of a beat in 4/4 time (also known as a sixteenth note).
Syncopation: A rhythmic effect that occurs when the emphasis of a note is shifted from a strong beat to a weak beat or an offbeat.
Tempo: The speed or pace of a piece of music.
Triplets: A group of three notes played in the time normally occupied by two notes of the same value.
Quiz
Describe what a triplet is in musical terms. How does it differ rhythmically from regular note groupings?
Explain the difference between a crotchet triplet and a quaver triplet, focusing on their rhythmic relationship to standard crotchets and quavers.
What is the recommended method for counting triplets, and why is this technique helpful for accurate performance?
Suggest two practice techniques that can help a pianist develop proficiency in playing triplets evenly and in time.
How can incorporating triplets into arpeggios and scales enhance a pianist's playing?
In the context of the provided material, what is unique about the structure of the children's song "One Bottle of Pop"?
Briefly describe the origin and cultural significance of the folk song "Song of the Volga Boatman," as mentioned in the text. What rhythmic feature does it highlight?
According to the text, what are some of the benefits of listening to recordings of pieces that contain triplets?
What is the Level 2 Symbols Book, mentioned in the text, and where can one find more information about it?
What key rhythmic elements do triplets introduce to music, and how does this affect the overall feel?
TQ Teacher Training
Essay Questions
Discuss the significance of rhythm as a "fundamental building block of music." How do triplets contribute to rhythmic variety and expression in piano playing, as outlined in the provided text?
Explain the concept of triplets in detail, comparing and contrasting crotchet triplets and quaver triplets. How does the counting method recommended in the text aid in the accurate performance of these rhythms?
Based on the information provided, describe effective practice strategies for mastering piano triplets. How can a pianist move from understanding the theory of triplets to incorporating them seamlessly into their playing?
Analyse the inclusion of the three "Achieve Pieces" – "A La Rueda de San Miguel," "One Bottle of Pop," and "Song of the Volga Boatman" – in a study guide on mastering triplets. What does each piece offer in terms of understanding and applying triplet rhythms (even if not explicitly present in all)? Consider the broader musical context of each piece.
The text introduces triplets as a way to add a "special rhythmic feel" to music. Explore the various ways in which triplets can be incorporated into different musical contexts (e.g., arpeggios, scales, improvisation) to achieve different expressive effects on the piano.
TQ Tutor Skill Summary
In the Elementary Programme there are four levels with seven TQ Zones in each level. Each Zone is split into seven interrelated Zones. There are 5 series of items, each a different standard signified by a letter from the word music.
A potential selection of items supporting this article are:
TQ Zone | TQ Focus | Title | Series |
Find | 4 - Standard Note Groupings | Various | All |
Create | 1 to 3 - Create a four bar rhythm | Various | All |
Grow | 6 - Musical Detective Skills | Various | All |
Develop | 3 - Clap the beat | Various | All |
Achieve 1 | 7 - Note values | A la Rueda de San Miguel | U |
Achieve 2 | 7 - Note values | Amazing Grace | I |
Achieve 3 | 7 - Note values | One Bottle of Pop | U |
Achieve 4 | 7 - Note values | Song of the Volga Boatmen | S |
Explore | 11 & 12- Clap: Play & combine rhythms | Various | All |
Build | 6 to 8 - Rhythm in a , arpeggio & chord | Various | All |
Reference list
Balakirev, M. (1866). A Collection of Popular Russian Songs. [online] IMSLP.org. Available at: https://imslp.org/wiki/A_Collection_of_Popular_Russian_Songs_(Balakirev,_Mily) [Accessed 24 Feb. 2025].
Beth's Notes (2015). Song of the Volga Boatmen. [online] Beth’s Notes. Available at: https://www.bethsnotesplus.com/2015/10/song-of-the-volga-boatmen.html [Accessed 24 Feb. 2025].
Binghamton University Library News (2020). Special Collections News. [online] Special Collections News. Available at: https://libnews.binghamton.edu/specialcollections/2011/12/01/volga-boatmens-song-is-our-featured-book-for-december-2011/ [Accessed 24 Feb. 2025].
Carrillo, J. (2016). La Rueda De San Miguel. [online] prezi.com. Available at: https://prezi.com/qiw4gqvpr9yh/la-rueda-de-san-miguel/ [Accessed 24 Feb. 2025].
Encyclopedia Britannica (n.d.). Round | Music. [online] Encyclopedia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/round-music [Accessed 24 Feb. 2025].
Library of Congress (n.d.). The Creation of ‘Amazing Grace’ | Articles and Essays | Amazing Grace | Digital Collections | Library of Congress. [online] Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Available at: https://www.loc.gov/collections/amazing-grace/articles-and-essays/creation-of-amazing-grace/ [Accessed 14 Mar. 2025].
Nelson, E. (1988). The World’s Best Funny Songs. [online] Internet Archive. Available at: https://archive.org/details/worldsbestfunnys0000nels [Accessed 24 Feb. 2025].
Open Hymnal (2025). Open Hymnal Project: Amazing Grace. [online] Openhymnal.org. Available at: http://openhymnal.org/Lyrics/Amazing_Grace-New_Britain.html [Accessed 14 Mar. 2025].
Thompson, B. (2013). One Bottle of Pop Beth’s Notes Songs & Resources. [online] Beth’s Notes Songs & Resources. Available at: https://www.bethsnotesplus.com/2013/01/one-bottle-of-pop.html [Accessed 24 Feb. 2025].
Yannucci , L. (2025). A La Rueda De San Miguel - Mexico. [online] Mama Lisa’s World of Children and International Culture. Available at: https://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=2808 [Accessed 24 Feb. 2025].