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Glite Dictionary
🎶 Group of notes 🌈 Group of lines
multiplet

multiplet

9.6
A group of notes played in the time usually given to a different number of notes
  • noun
  • /ˈmʌltɪplɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : multiplete musical
  • The score included a rare five-note multiplet in the second measure.

Examples

  • The pianist played a fast multiplet that added excitement to the melody.

  • Learning to count a multiplet can be challenging for beginner musicians.

  • A multiplet can create a rich harmonic texture in music.

  • In jazz, a multiplet adds complexity to a solo.

  • The score included a rare five-note multiplet in the second measure.

  • Learning to count a multiplet can be challenging for beginner musicians.

  • In jazz, a multiplet adds complexity to a solo.

Synonyms

septuplet
vsmultiplet
  • Specialized
8.2

A group of seven notes played in the time usually used for fewer notes

is a general term for such grouped notes regardless of their number
sextuplet
vsmultiplet
  • Specialized
7.9

Six notes played in the time normally taken by four notes

is the broader label covering any such irregular note group

How Many Notes

multiplet
  • Specialized
9.6
quadruplet
1 6.2
triplet
4 3.7
duple
  • Specialized
8.0

Surface Forms

multiplet singular
multiplets plural

Morphology

multiplet = multiple (semi-transparent) = multiple + let

Formally built from 'multiple' with a group-forming/diminutive suffix, so the immediate morphological relation is clear.

Etymology

Multiplet comes from multi- meaning 'many' and the ending -let meaning 'small one', like the musical triplet. So a musical multiplet is a small group of several notes played together in the time usually given to a different number of notes, which is why musicians use this name.