Duplets

About 2 min to read, then 5 practice questions

Two in the time of three

A duplet fills the first beat

A duplet is two notes in the time of three of the same kind, marked with a 2. It is used in compound time, where a beat normally divides into three: two duplet quavers fill one dotted crotchet beat.

Quick check

In , two quavers marked 2 last as long as:

Duplet or triplet?

Duplet: 2 in the time of 3

Triplet: 3 in the time of 2

A triplet is the opposite: three in the time of two, in simple time. Read the number: 2 is a duplet, 3 a triplet.

Quick check

Which is used in compound time to split a beat into two?

Remember

Duplet: 2 in the time of 3, in compound time.
Triplet: 3 in the time of 2, in simple time.

Practise this: 5 questions, about 4 min

Answering from memory soon after reading is what makes it stick, so now is a good time.

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