An eighth note triplet is a group of three notes spaced evenly within a beat. We have seen previously how the shuffle rhythm is derived from triplets (lesson 11). The following example is a bar of constant triplets. The second example is a Blues lick using triplets.
The following examples highlight how a rest can be used on any part of a triplet. In the following two examples the 1st and 3rd parts of each triplet are not played.
In the following two examples the 1st and 2nd parts of each triplet are not played.
In the following two examples, the 3rd part of each triplet is not played.
In the following two examples the 1st part of each triplet is not played.
The next lick uses combinations of some of the previous triplet variations.