16.3 · Advanced Rhythm

Polyrhythms

A polyrhythm is two counts dividing the same span of time: one line plays 3 evenly spaced hits while the other plays 2. They start together, drift apart, and meet again on the next downbeat. Not one rhythm decorated; two complete pulses at once.

3 against 2

Hear each line alone, then both. The kick keeps 2, the snare rides 3 over the same cycle.

snare in 3
kick in 2

6 shared slots. Both lines fill slot 1; after that they never land together until the next cycle.

Together they land as four hits per cycle. Say "nice cup of tea" on those hits and you are speaking the composite.

4 against 3

The next classic. Twelve shared slots: the 4-line fills every third slot, the 3-line every fourth.

snare in 4
kick in 3

12 shared slots. Both lines fill slot 1; after that they never land together until the next cycle.

Game · Name the ratio

1 / 6

Kick and snare share one cycle. Are they on two counts, or riding one together?

Listen first. Then answer.

The composite is one rhythm

Merge both lines onto one drum and the polyrhythm collapses into a single lopsided pattern you could clap.

Quiz

1 / 3

What makes a rhythm a polyrhythm?

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson.Bigger ratios →