A polyrhythm (cross rhythm) is created when two simultaneous lines of music (eg. the left and right hands playing piano) have different beat lengths (beat durations). Each line of music has a different number of beats in the bar. The first beat (downbeat) is the same for both lines of music.
For example, in a three against two polyrhythm (3:2), a guitar may be strumming three even beats in a bar while the bass is simultaneously playing two even beats in the bar. Each is therefore playing a different number of beats in every bar. Both instruments play together on the first beat (downbeat) of the bar.
Piano Polyrhythms
Polyrhythms occur relatively frequently in piano music from the romantic era. Here are some examples:
Polyrhythm: 5 against 2
This video is a tutorial from the course: You Got Rhythm! A comprehensive guide to help you read and play any rhythm in sheet music easily Find out more about the course here: https://musiker.com.au
Why learn polyrhythms?
- Learning to play polyrhythms helps develop ‘independent hands’, an essential skill for instrumentalists, be they piano players, guitar players, drummers, etc.
- Polyrhythms are fun and challenging to learn.
- Having polyrhythms in a songwriter or composer’s skill set increases their musical ‘palette’. In other words, their creativity is enhanced with rhythmic possibilities.
Polyrhythms are Palindromes - Mirror rhythms
Just like words such as ‘kayak’, ‘civic’ or ‘Abba’, polyrhythms written as a single line read the same way forward and backwards.
Is there an easy way to learn polyrhythms?
Yes. Follow this method to learn polyrhythms:
Step 1. Memorize the first half of polyrhythm.
You only need to memorize the first half of the palindrome in order to remember each polyrhythm.
Step 2. Write out the whole polyrhythm with its time signature
Each polyrhythm has a time signature that makes it easier to learn. Writing out the polyrhythm as one line of music also strengthens memory.
Step 3. Learn the polyrhythm as a single line of music.
Now that you know how the polyrhythm looks in standard musical notation, practise clapping the polyrhythm to memorize the rhythmic pattern and how it sounds.
Here are the same rhythms, with correct musical ‘grammar’ - groupings:
Step 3. Assign each note to the left or right hand
Still reading the polyrhythm as one line, assign the notes to be played by either the right hand (R), left hand (L) or both hands at once where they play together on the downbeats (T).
Step 4. Use different sounds in the right and left hand
Practice the polyrhythm using two different sounds, eg play a tin can with a fork with your left hand and use a squeaky toy with your right hand. That way you can distinguish the different rhythmic lines more easily.
Step 5. Write out and practice reading and playing the polyrhythm as two lines of music
Use the charts below to write out the full polyrhythm. Number the beats and assign the hands.
Step 6. While playing polyrhythm, call out the beat names
First in one hand, then in the other
Step 7. Use your new polyrhythm virtuosity to take your music to new heights!
- Drummers impress your band mates
- Songwriters write a soaring melody (in 3) over guitar chords (in 2)
- Pianists tackle that Chopin piece you’ve been putting off
Enroll in my free course You Got the Beat - improve your sense of rhythm
Check out the comprehensive course on rhythm: