What is the best way to play triplets with a pick? There are 2 options listed in the Berklee “Modern Guitar” method. Is there one that you prefer? Or is there a different approach that’s better? – Tim
As far as practicing triplets with a pick goes, it really depends on what you want to be able to do with it.
Picking patterns are easy to get over-focused on, so it’s important to keep an open mind.
My own personal preferences for picking patterns have definitely changed over the years, along with my vocabulary and the way I approach the guitar.
How to Practice Triplets with a Pick
General Picking Hand Practice
If you’re just trying to work out your picking hand to get used to the pattern, I’d recommend putting in some reps on bothe of the options laid out in the Berklee Method book.
They are the 2 most logical ways to condition your picking hand so you’re not stumbling all over yourself when you start playing triplets in melodies or solos.
It’s great for your right hand coordination in general, too. So don’t neglect working on these patterns.
Scales and Melodic Patterns
If you want to use a more practical approach that combines both hands, try playing triplets through scale patterns you already know.
Slowly work through both type 1 and type 2 triplet patterns to see what fits your own scale patterns the best.
The examples above are using the G major scale starting on the 6th string.
You can also practice triplet-based melodic patterns that will help you apply this picking to your scales.
Pay attention to your picking hand as you go. Are you able to focus on one of the picking patterns in particular?
Do you use a mix of the two depending on where you are in the scale?
You don’t necessarily have to pick a pattern and stick to it – they are tools to help you play the music cleanly.
Improvising with Triplets
Try improvising over a song you know, and try to use triplets as often as possible in your phrases.
Again, you can focus on a specific picking pattern if you want to. Sometimes that’s a nice exercise, and gives you something to focus on.
But it’s more important overall to make sure the rhythms are clean, and whatever you end up doing helps you play more musically.
Sometimes I’ll put on a backing track and make a game of it. Don’t let yourself play anything but triplets.
You can lay out and leave space, but all you’re allowed to actually play is triplets. This will help you figure out what your picking hand needs to do so you can get your ideas out of the guitar.
This can be a fun way to work this technical area into your natural playing.
Conclusion
Overall, there’s no one “right” way to tackle playing triplets with a pick. While the Berklee method book has 2 good options, you don’t need to choose one and stick with it.
As I worked through that particular book, I found that sometimes one pattern made life easier in certain situations.
Playing through some songs with a more celtic flavor, for example… it was much easier to keep things straight if I played a down stroke at the beginning of each triplet, rather than keeping things alternating.
Overall, it’s really not something you need to worry too much about. Work on it, but don’t overthink it.
As in most cases when a student asks an “either or” type question… the real answer is that eventually you need to do both.
It’s really not that much work, and you’ll be more confident if both options are easily accessible for you.
How are you working on triplets with a pick? Let me know in the comments below.
This article is based off of a question one of my students asked me. Do you have questions about guitar playing? Ask me anything about jazz guitar and I’ll get back to you ASAP!