Length of the Duplet Note-Grouping
A duplet is a group of two notes, which spans three of its note-type:
- ♫ Hear Example #1: Eighth-note duplets span three eighth-notes of normal length (equal to one dotted quarter-note).
- ♫ Hear Example #2: Sixteenth-note duplets span one dotted eighth-note.
Counting Duplets
If you’re having trouble grasping the duplet rhythm, break the measure down into smaller parts. In example #1, which has eighth-note duplets, you’ll use the sixteenth-note beat as your reference (sixteenth-notes fall on the ‘ands’ below); Count:
1 and 2 and 3 and
The first note of the duplet occurs on the 1, and the second note falls on the and after the 2.
