Rhythm variation suggestions for triplets

[zebra555]

I’d like to know the best ways to learn and drill runs of triplets, to get them even and fast. I use the slow-fast, fast-slow variation mostly, but for semiquavers in groups of four. Is the equivalent for triplets slow-fast-fast, fast-slow-fast, fast-fast-slow? And are there other methods or suggestions that help? Thank you.

[brogers70]

I’d like to know the best ways to learn and drill runs of triplets, to get them even and fast. I use the slow-fast, fast-slow variation mostly, but for semiquavers in groups of four. Is the equivalent for triplets slow-fast-fast, fast-slow-fast, fast-fast-slow? And are there other methods or suggestions that help? Thank you.

I like to use rhythms that are not in phase with the passage. What I mean is that for sixteenths, for example I would use groups of 3 or 5 in all orders of long-short-short, short-long-short, and short-short-long (for groups of 3) or long-short-short-short-short, short-long-short-short-short, etc (for groups of 5).

For triplets I use groups of 4 or 5 similarly. Having the rhythms not line up with the beats really forces you to concentrate on every note. It's hard enough that I usually write out the fingering for each note. It takes a while to get used to, but once get into the habit I think you'll find that it helps a lot with speed, evenness, and confidence in fast passages.

[zebra555]

So would you do those as slowly as need be to get them right?  Would slowly help with speed in the long run?

[brogers70]

So would you do those as slowly as need be to get them right?  Would slowly help with speed in the long run?

Well, you may need to do them slowly to get the hang of it, but once you are used to practicing this way, the idea is to play the series of short notes at, or a bit above, the target tempo and to hold the long notes as long as it takes to fully relax, so you are doing little bursts of speed and relaxing between them. It definitely takes a bit of time to get used to, but I've found it extremely helpful.

[zebra555]

Right, okay I understand. Thank you for your help and clear explanations.