Nested Tuplets

In previous lessons we learned how to count tuplets. This lesson will show you how to count nested tuplets.

Nested tuplets are tuplets that occur inside of another tuplet:

Counting Tuplets Nested in Triplets

To help us count a nested tuplet, we start with finding the note for the beats of the tuplet. The example above would be a half note triplet. The nested quarter note triplet is equal to two quarter notes, or a half note. Adding that to the two half notes makes 3 half notes:

We can then think of an equivalent rhythm to count the triplet.

Looking at another triplet, we see three groups of notes:

When determining how to count the tuplet, look for notes connected with beams. This will tell you the kind of note that the number on the tuplet is referring to. The group of 16th notes is equal to one quarter note, and the triplet is equal to one quarter note. With this, we get a quarter note triplet.

We can then think of the three quarter notes when feeling the pulse of the triplet:

Counting Tuplets Nested in Larger Tuplets

Sometimes tuplets larger than triplets have tuplets nested inside of them. To count the above example, we first need to think of the beats of the tuplet:

The 5 refers to five quarter notes. Each beamed group of notes in the first example equals one quarter note.

Then we can think of equivalent rhythms for the inner triplets:

Looking at another example, we see there are 3 single quarter notes and 3 other groups of notes:

Before you think this makes 6 quarter notes, notice the quarter note triplet. It is equal to 2 quarter notes. The tuplet and the eighth note groups each make a quarter note:

A good way to practice rhythms such as these is to get familiar with the pulse of the outer tuplet (such as 7 quarter notes), then add the inner tuplet groups.

Tuplet Ratios

Sometimes tuplets will have a ratio instead of a single number. This is just an alternate notation for tuplets.

The first number is like the number on the traditional tuplet. The second number is how many notes it replaces.

In this tuplet, the first number is 5, meaning there are 5 notes in the tuplet. This tuplet has 5 quarter notes. The 4 tells us the 5 notes are in the place of four. This tuplet is five quarter notes in the place of four.

The following tuplet has a 7 as the first number. This tuplet has 7 quarter notes, and they are in the place of 4 quarter notes:

The following tuplet has ten eighth notes, which are in the place of 8 eighth notes (the second number):

This notation can be helpful when determining how long a tuplet lasts.

Practice

Practice counting nested tuplets with the Nested Tuplets Worksheet:

Nested Tuplets Worksheet

Practice counting nested tuplets with this worksheet. Worksheet includes triplets, and also tuplets of 5 and 7 notes. Includes tuplets of half, quarter, and eighth notes.

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