This exercise on tuplets (irregular groups) shows a triplet, a duplet, a quadruplet or a sextuplet written inside a measure, and you must say which simple note value the whole group equals. Three levels: easy (even rhythm), medium (with a rest) and hard (mixed rhythm inside the group). Answers are checked right away and you can generate printable worksheets with answers.
How to work out what a tuplet equals
A tuplet puts more (or fewer) notes than normal in the same span of time. The whole group always lasts as long as the number of notes it replaces, and that time is shared equally among its notes. The four groups in this exercise are worked with their usual equivalence, the one used by most methods:
| Tuplet | Notes | Equals | Meter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triplet | 3 | 2 notes | Simple |
| Duplet | 2 | 3 notes | Compound |
| Quadruplet | 4 | 6 notes | Compound |
| Sextuplet | 6 | 4 notes | Simple |
For example, a triplet of eighth notes puts three eighth notes where two fit, so the three together last as long as two eighth notes: a quarter note. A duplet of eighth notes puts two where three fit, so it equals a dotted quarter note. When the rhythm inside the group is not even (for example, a quarter note and an eighth note inside a triplet, instead of three equal eighth notes) the whole group still lasts the same: the quarter note takes two thirds of the beat and the eighth note the remaining third, and together they still add up to a quarter note.
A note on the quadruplet. This site uses the convention of the Spanish-language tradition: a quadruplet is four notes in the place of six, which is the same as a duplet with each note subdivided, and it is typical of compound meters. Many English-language sources instead define a quadruplet as four notes in the time of three (4:3). When in doubt, look for a written ratio. The tuplet theory page explains both readings; unlike the quintuplet and the septuplet, which depend on the context, the four groups here have a fixed equivalence in this exercise.
Printable worksheet (PDF)
The same exercise on paper, for class: eighteen measures with one tuplet each, six from each level, on one A4 sheet. The student writes the note value the marked group equals. With a separate answer sheet.
Download the worksheet (A4 PDF) Answers
You can print and photocopy it freely for class.
More worksheets
The same exercise on paper, for class: you can generate worksheets of eighteen measures, each with one tuplet, six from each level. The student writes the note value the marked group equals. Each sheet comes with its own answer sheet. Generate as many sheets as you need, each with different measures, and print them straight from your browser.
Before and after this exercise
It helps to be comfortable with note values in each time signature before you start. The full theory, with the quintuplet and septuplet included, is in tuplets. The next step is Which time signature is it?: use that equivalence to work out the time signature of a whole measure made of irregular groups.