Counting Musical Sextuplets

A sextuplet is a note-grouping of six, which is played inside the length of four of its note-type. For example, a sextuplet is written with eighth-notes spans four normal (or “straight”) eighth-notes.
The rhythmic rules of the sextuplet remain disputed among theorists; variations include the following:

• True Sextolet: Played as if each note in a triplet were divided into two; the downbeat only occurs on the first note of the sextuplet.
• Double Triplets: or “False Sextuplets”: The downbeat occurs on the first and fourth notes, mimicking two sets of triplets; the fourth note may be given a weaker accent to provide a distinction between the two group-types.
• Impartial Sextolet: Resembles a true sextolet, but has a weak accent on the fourth note, and an even weaker accent on the fifth note. This splits the sextuplet into threes but does not mimic the rhythm of the double triplet.
• Waltzing Sextuplet: also “Real” or “True” Sextuplet: Accents fall on the first, third, and fifth notes, creating the same rhythmic feel as groups of two eighth-notes in 3/4 or 6/8 time; or as triplets in which each note has been divided into two.

Synonyms of Sextuplet

• sestolet
• sestina (It)
• sextolet (Fr)
• Sextole (Ger)

Beginner Piano Lessons
▪  The Piano Keyboard Layout
▪  The Black Piano Keys
▪  Finding Middle C on the Piano
▪  Find Middle C on Electric Keyboards
▪  Left Hand Piano Fingering
Reading Piano Music
▪  Sheet Music Symbol Library
▪  How to Read Piano Notation
▪  Memorize the Staff Notes
▪  Illustrated Piano Chords
▪  Musical Quizzes & Tests
Piano Care & Maintenance
▪  Best Piano Room Conditions
▪  How to Clean Your Piano
▪  Safely Whiten Your Piano Keys
▪  When To Tune Your Piano
Forming Piano Chords
▪  Essential Piano Chord Fingering
▪  Comparing Major & Minor Chords
▪  Diminished Chords & Dissonance
Getting Started on Keyboard Instruments
▪  Playing Piano vs. Electric Keyboard
▪  How to Sit at the Piano
▪  Buying a Used Piano

Learn About Enharmony

• The 6 Enharmonic Key Signatures
  If you’re familiar with the circle of fifths (or you just know your way around the key signatures) you may have noticed a few anomalies. Some keys – like B-sharp and F-flat major – are seemingly absent, while others go by two names
• The Inefficient Keys
  The circle of fifths shows only the working scales. But, if we expand on its pattern, we can see that it’s actually more of an infinite spiral, so there’s no end to the possibilities of musical scales.
• Table of Working & Non-Working Keys
  See a clear visual of which keynotes are workable and which would be redundant.

Musical Keys & Key Signatures

• All About Key Signatures
  Everything you need to know about the accidentals & key signatures.
• 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.
• Take the Key Signature Quiz
  Once you get to know more about this part of notation, test yourself on the accidentals and key signatures.

Sources

• A dictionary of music and musicians Vol. 3 [pg. 478]: Sir George Grove, 1820-1900. Published by Macmillan, London, 1879.
• A dictionary of musical terms [pg. 177]: Theodore Baker, 1851-1934. Published by G. Schirmer, New York, 1895.