polyrhythms in music.

Question

Examples are welcome.

In: Other

Answer 1

It’s when two different but constant rhythms are played one over top of each other, such that they line up sometimes but not others.

The simplest example would be playing a “3” and a “2” rhythm at the same time.

For example, with your left hand you tap two times per second. With your right hand you tap three times per second.

Once per second, your left and right hands tap at the same time. The other taps are different, and the combination of the two creates a new, more complex pattern.

Here’s a great demonstration of that polyrhythm:

[https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P6vFVi4ZOCc](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P6vFVi4ZOCc)

Note how the “2” and the “3” are steady and simple, but when you put them together you get a much more interesting, complex pattern.

Now here’s 4 over 3 – even harder!

[https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DuG0oAEF2hE](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DuG0oAEF2hE)