Understanding and Playing Polyrhythms

Polyrhythms are among the most fascinating and challenging aspects of rhythm. They add depth, complexity, and interest to your playing, but can be intimidating to learn. In this guide, we'll demystify polyrhythms, breaking them down into manageable components with practical exercises to help you incorporate them into your drumming.

What Are Polyrhythms?

Simply put, a polyrhythm is two or more different rhythmic patterns played simultaneously. Each pattern maintains its own integrity, creating a complex but harmonious rhythmic relationship. The most common way to identify a polyrhythm is as a ratio, such as 3:2, 4:3, or 5:4.

For example, a 3:2 polyrhythm means you're playing 3 equally-spaced notes in one rhythm against 2 equally-spaced notes in another rhythm, all within the same time span. This creates a beautiful rhythmic tension that resolves when both patterns complete their cycle and start again together.

Why Learn Polyrhythms?

Learning polyrhythms offers several benefits to drummers:

• Enhanced coordination: Playing different rhythms with different limbs develops advanced coordination
• Expanded musical vocabulary: Polyrhythms open up new possibilities for fills, solos, and grooves
• Improved timing: Mastering polyrhythms requires precise internal timing
• Cultural versatility: Many world music traditions use polyrhythms extensively (West African, Indian, Latin American)
• Creative expression: Polyrhythms provide unique ways to express musical ideas

Common Polyrhythms and How to Learn Them

Let's explore the most common polyrhythms, starting with the simplest and progressing to more complex patterns.

2:3 (Two Against Three)

This is one of the most common polyrhythms, often called a "triplet feel" against straight eighth notes. Think of the rhythm as "Nice Cup of Tea" where "Nice" and "Tea" align with the 2-side, while "Nice," "Cup," "of," and "Tea" align with the 3-side.

Practice Method:

1. Start by counting "1-and-a, 2-and-a" where the numbers (1, 2) and the "a" syllables align with the triplet
2. Count "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6" where 1 and 4 align with the duplet (2-side)
3. Play the 2-side with your right hand and the 3-side with your left hand on a practice pad
4. Once comfortable, try playing the 2-side with your foot and the 3-side with your hands

Application: Try playing eighth notes on the hi-hat with your right hand while playing triplets on the snare with your left hand. Then incorporate the bass drum playing quarter notes to anchor the pattern.

3:4 (Three Against Four)

This polyrhythm creates a flowing, cascading feeling. One way to conceptualize it is with the phrase "Pass the butter quickly" where "Pass," "but," and "quick" align with the 3-side, while all four syllables align with the 4-side.

Practice Method:

1. Count "1-e-and-a, 2-e-and-a, 3-e-and-a, 4-e-and-a" as sixteenth notes
2. For the 3-side, emphasize counts "1, e-and, a-2, e-and, a-3, e-and, a-4"
3. Practice with a metronome set to a slow tempo, playing the 4-side with your right hand and the 3-side with your left
4. Gradually increase the tempo as your coordination improves

Application: Try playing quarter notes on the ride cymbal, while your left hand plays dotted eighth notes on the snare or a tom. Add quarter notes on the bass drum to ground the pattern.

4:3 (Four Against Three)

This is the inverse of the 3:4 polyrhythm and can be conceptualized with the phrase "What atrocious weather" where all four syllables align with the 4-side, while "What," "tro," and "wea" align with the 3-side.

Practice Method:

1. Start by mastering the 3:4 polyrhythm, then simply switch which hand plays which part
2. Try vocalizing "What atrocious weather" while tapping the appropriate beats with each hand
3. Practice with a metronome, gradually increasing the tempo

Application: Play triplets on the ride cymbal while your snare hand plays quarter notes. This creates a flowing jazz feel with a strong backbeat.

5:4 (Five Against Four)

This creates a complex, shifting relationship between the hands. It's commonly found in progressive rock, jazz, and various world music traditions.

Practice Method:

1. Break it down into the least common multiple: 20 pulses (5×4)
2. The 4-side hits on pulses 1, 6, 11, and 16
3. The 5-side hits on pulses 1, 5, 9, 13, and 17
4. Start very slowly, focusing on precision rather than speed
5. Use the mnemonic "University of California Berkeley" where the capitalized syllables represent the 5-side

Application: Try playing a standard rock beat while adding a 5-note pattern on the ride cymbal or hi-hat. This creates an interesting metric modulation effect over the steady groove.

Advanced Practice Techniques

Once you've grasped the basics of polyrhythms, try these advanced techniques to deepen your understanding and facility:

1. Linear Polyrhythms

Instead of playing both parts of the polyrhythm simultaneously with different limbs, try alternating between them in a linear fashion. For example, in a 3:2 polyrhythm, you might play R L R L R L, but with the R hand following the 3-side timing and the L hand following the 2-side timing.

2. Displaced Polyrhythms

Start the polyrhythm patterns at different points in their cycle. For example, instead of starting both parts of a 3:2 polyrhythm at the beginning, start the 3-side on its second note while the 2-side starts at the beginning.

3. Accent Patterns

Add accents to either or both sides of the polyrhythm to create even more complex patterns. For instance, accent every other note in the 3-side of a 3:2 polyrhythm while maintaining consistent volume in the 2-side.

4. Metric Modulation

Use polyrhythms as a bridge to modulate between different tempos or time signatures. For example, the 3-side of a 3:2 polyrhythm can become the new quarter-note pulse, effectively increasing the tempo by 1.5 times.

Applying Polyrhythms to the Drum Kit

Here are some practical ways to incorporate polyrhythms into your drumming:

Groove Applications

• Hi-hat/Ride Patterns: Play a 3-over-2 or 5-over-4 pattern on your ride cymbal while maintaining a standard groove with your other limbs
• Bass Drum Patterns: Incorporate a 2-over-3 pattern between your bass drum and snare while keeping steady eighth notes on the hi-hat
• Tom Grooves: Create flowing tom patterns using 3-over-4 polyrhythms between your hands

Fill Applications

• Cross-Rhythmic Fills: Use polyrhythms to create fills that cross bar lines in interesting ways
• Transitional Fills: Use polyrhythms in fills to smoothly transition between different sections of a song
• Solo Sections: Build solo sections around polyrhythmic ideas, developing them throughout your solo

Style-Specific Applications

Different musical styles utilize polyrhythms in unique ways:

• Jazz: Explore the relationship between triplets and duplets, especially in cymbal patterns
• Afro-Cuban: Study cascara patterns against clave rhythms
• West African: Explore traditional polyrhythmic patterns like those found in Ewe or Yoruba drumming
• Progressive Rock/Metal: Use polyrhythms to create complex, mathematically interesting patterns
• Indian Classical: Study tihai patterns and the relationship between different talas

Common Challenges and Solutions

Learning polyrhythms can be frustrating at times. Here are some common challenges and how to overcome them:

Challenge: Losing the Basic Pulse

Solution: Always practice with a metronome. Start by having the metronome click on every beat, then as you improve, reduce it to just clicking on beat 1 to develop your internal sense of time.

Challenge: One Hand Dominating the Other

Solution: Practice each part separately until it's automatic, then combine them. Also try switching which hand plays which part of the polyrhythm.

Challenge: Speeding Up or Slowing Down

Solution: Record yourself practicing and listen back critically. Use a metronome and focus on consistency rather than speed.

Challenge: Applying Polyrhythms Musically

Solution: Listen to artists who use polyrhythms effectively. Try to incorporate small elements of polyrhythms into your playing rather than entire complex patterns at first.

Conclusion

Polyrhythms are a fascinating aspect of rhythm that can add depth and sophistication to your drumming. While they may seem daunting at first, breaking them down into manageable practice exercises makes them accessible to drummers at any level.

Remember that mastering polyrhythms is a gradual process. Be patient with yourself, practice consistently, and focus on precision rather than speed. Over time, these complex rhythmic relationships will become second nature, and you'll have a powerful new set of tools for musical expression.

Start simple, be consistent in your practice, and most importantly, have fun exploring the rich world of polyrhythms!