Duplet

A photograph of piano sheet music

Public Domain /  Pixabay

 A duplet – a type of tuplet – is a note-grouping of two, which fits into the length of three of its note-type. For example:

  • Eighth-note duplets span the length of three normal (or “straight”) eighth-notes.
  • Sixteenth-note duplets span the length of three 16th notes (or a dotted eighth-note).

Note that while many tuplets split a beat into smaller parts, the duplet expands the length of its notes. For example, a triplet makes three notes span two, therefore reducing each note within to 2/3 its original length. The duplet forces two notes to take the space of three, making them to equal 1 1/2 their original lengths.

Duplets create a temporary irrational rhythm within a song. While rarely used, they can be seen in bridges, but are most frequently used in jazz piano.

Also Known As:

  • duina (It)
  • duolet (Fr)
  • Duole (Ger)Musical Keyboard Comparison Guide

Browse Glossaries in D:

▪  : "from nothing"; to gradually bring notes out of complete silence, or a crescendo that rises slowly from nowhere.

▪  decrescendo: to gradually decrease the volume of the music. A decrescendo is seen in sheet music as a narrowing angle, and is often marked decresc.

▪  delicato: “delicately”; to play with a light touch and an airy feel.

▪  : very sweetly; to play in a particularly delicate manner. Dolcissimo is a superlative of "dolce."

Reading Sheet Music

  • All About Key Signatures
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  • Use the interactive key signature locator to identify or double-check your key.
  • There are always two keys that relate to one another more than any other key. Find out what this means.
  • Comparing Major & Minor
    Major and minor are often described in terms of feelings or mood. The ear tends to perceive major and minor as having contrasting personalities; a contrast that is most obvious when the two are played back to back. Learn more about major and minor scales and keys.

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  • The Inefficient Keys
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  • Table of Working & Non-Working Keys
    See a clear visual of which keynotes are workable and which would be redundant.