Septuplet
A septuplet puts seven equal notes in the time in which otherwise another number of equal notes would stand. Most often it is seven notes in the time of four; in compound time also seven in the time of six, rarely seven for eight.
- Division
- seven equal parts
- Ratio
- usually 7:4, in compound time 7:6, rarely 7:8
- In the score
- figure 7, often with the ratio added because the figure alone is ambiguous
- Related
- quintuplet
Seven notes in the time of four
The septuplet occurs more rarely than the triplet and the quintuplet. It puts seven equally long notes into a time that would otherwise be filled by four equal notes. The ratio 7:4 counts as the normal case in simple time; in compound time it also stands for six notes (7:6), and rarely it replaces eight (7:8). How much time it fills, the figure 7 alone does not say.
Septuplet: seven sixteenth notes to a quarter (4/4)
The septuplet fills the first beat. The following quarter and the half note complete the bar to four quarters.
Descending septuplet in the bass clef (4/4)
Here the septuplet is on the second beat. Played evenly, it is heard as a quick glide downward.
Notation
The figure 7 is written above or below the group, with a bracket if there is no continuous beam. Because the septuplet can be ambiguous, composers often write out the ratio. Anyone reading a septuplet from the page does best to check the bar total: the group fills what is still free in the bar.
Counting and hearing
You can group seven notes in your head as 3+4 or 4+3, but they all stay equally long. It helps to think of the septuplet as a single quick movement that fills the same time as four equal notes. For practice, with seven sixteenth notes, count “one-two-three-four-five-six-seven” on one quarter note and let no syllable become longer.
Common mistakes
- Playing the septuplet too long or too short: It fills exactly the time of four equal notes (in compound time also of six), no more and no less.
- Stressing single notes or groups: All seven notes are equally long and equally loud.
- Leaving the ratio open: Where 7:4, 7:6 and 7:8 would be possible, only the written-out ratio helps.
Continue on Maikstrings
Related terms
QuintupletSextupletTripletDupletNote valueBar / measureBeatSixteenth noteMetronome
Editor: Maik Krohm · reviewed on 3 October 2026
← Back to the glossary