Polyrhythms
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Composer of Requiems
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Isn't a polyrhythm within a polyrhythm just another polyrhythm?
It is still a polyrhythm, but it will be twice as complex. Assuming your are playing 4/4 and you do a 6/8 timing with 4/4 grove and then do a 5/16 grouping over that 4/4.
plainsman
New member
wow.. 7/8 over 4/4 haven't tried that one for sure...haha
the common ones you encounter are 2 against 3 and 3 against 4. you can flip em over so you get 4 combinations.
it takes time to settle so don't rush it.
once you get the hang of it, try "stacking" patterns. the stacking is kind of my way of understanding and making use of it.
for example, using 2 against 3,
2 plays snare-tom,
3 plays bell-ride-ride
this one's quite safe.
you can experiment and have fun many ways.
i like the 4 against 3 - 2 bar pattern
with the 4, play snare-tom-snare-tom or snare-tom1-tom2-tom1
with the 3, play bell-ride-bell, then ride-bell-ride (oh man if only this forum has built in scoring)
there's a lot of room for creativity for building up your polyrhythm chops so don't be afraid to just go out there and go nuts. you'll find the ones that stick over time are those you can use in the music repertoire you play.
you may also find that you simplify and find more ways to play just one or two of them when you get busier and have less time for just going nuts on the drums. for you younger guys, just play everything to death. it'll pay off real well later....
while at it, polyrhythms are 'intentional' by nature, meaning we write it down and set out to play 2 or more patterns that resolve over time.
i also tend to not want to refer to 2 - 3 as 2 "against" 3 . this is because the nature of using the word "against" makes me feel like its a conflicting (unless i want to introduce tension in the music). i like it that the 2 or more patterns are playing in "harmony"
if i'd write a book, i'd sure to refer to it as 2 "harmony" 3 ... lol!
do check out glenn kotche (wilco) ... in MD interview he mentioned he was intrigued by "accidental" rhythm, ie. the sound of water droplets falling during rain, although there is no premediated pattern (ie. polyrythm) the sound is beautiful. he was encouraged by his lecturer in uni to pursue it. check it up on youtube or something. i love glenn
cheers
the common ones you encounter are 2 against 3 and 3 against 4. you can flip em over so you get 4 combinations.
it takes time to settle so don't rush it.
once you get the hang of it, try "stacking" patterns. the stacking is kind of my way of understanding and making use of it.
for example, using 2 against 3,
2 plays snare-tom,
3 plays bell-ride-ride
this one's quite safe.
you can experiment and have fun many ways.
i like the 4 against 3 - 2 bar pattern
with the 4, play snare-tom-snare-tom or snare-tom1-tom2-tom1
with the 3, play bell-ride-bell, then ride-bell-ride (oh man if only this forum has built in scoring)
there's a lot of room for creativity for building up your polyrhythm chops so don't be afraid to just go out there and go nuts. you'll find the ones that stick over time are those you can use in the music repertoire you play.
you may also find that you simplify and find more ways to play just one or two of them when you get busier and have less time for just going nuts on the drums. for you younger guys, just play everything to death. it'll pay off real well later....
while at it, polyrhythms are 'intentional' by nature, meaning we write it down and set out to play 2 or more patterns that resolve over time.
i also tend to not want to refer to 2 - 3 as 2 "against" 3 . this is because the nature of using the word "against" makes me feel like its a conflicting (unless i want to introduce tension in the music). i like it that the 2 or more patterns are playing in "harmony"
if i'd write a book, i'd sure to refer to it as 2 "harmony" 3 ... lol!
do check out glenn kotche (wilco) ... in MD interview he mentioned he was intrigued by "accidental" rhythm, ie. the sound of water droplets falling during rain, although there is no premediated pattern (ie. polyrythm) the sound is beautiful. he was encouraged by his lecturer in uni to pursue it. check it up on youtube or something. i love glenn
cheers
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plainsman
New member
here's one !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkmGSABX1Sg
it must be said that while terry bozzio is probably the father of the "drumset orchestra", these younger guys are taking it to new and more fascinating territories.
drummers like glenn kotche and brian blade make me feel happy and precious to be here now in 2008.
for more technically precise stuff, check out marco minnemann too. his book 'extreme interdependence' contains some very good basic exercises.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkmGSABX1Sg
it must be said that while terry bozzio is probably the father of the "drumset orchestra", these younger guys are taking it to new and more fascinating territories.
drummers like glenn kotche and brian blade make me feel happy and precious to be here now in 2008.
for more technically precise stuff, check out marco minnemann too. his book 'extreme interdependence' contains some very good basic exercises.
USADRUMMER
New member
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plainsman
New member
good call bruce 
pete magadini regarded by many as the guy who wrote "the book" on polyrhythms.. its a real pity i haven't got my hands on it yet. i'm so late in checking out some of the classic books... imagine i only got round to gary chester's new breed / new breed 2 last month !!
ps. merry x'mas in advance and happy holidays for you & family!
pete magadini regarded by many as the guy who wrote "the book" on polyrhythms.. its a real pity i haven't got my hands on it yet. i'm so late in checking out some of the classic books... imagine i only got round to gary chester's new breed / new breed 2 last month !! ps. merry x'mas in advance and happy holidays for you & family!
USADRUMMER
New member
**deleted**
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