Rhythm training
Polyrhythm
Two rhythmic layers played simultaneously at different rates. The most complex rhythmic skill — and the one that unlocks African, Indian, jazz, and contemporary classical music.
2 against 3 — the gateway polyrhythm
How polyrhythm works
A polyrhythm is two (or more) rhythmic patterns played simultaneously, each at a different rate but sharing the same overall time span. The simplest is 2:3 — two evenly-spaced notes against three — which fits inside a bar of 6/8 or a triplet subdivision in 4/4. The patterns realign at the end of the cycle (the LCM of the two numbers).
A useful trick: verbal mnemonics map onto the combined pattern. For 3:2, the phrase "not difficult" aligns note-for-note with the 5 attack points (3 on the top layer, 2 on the bottom). Say it out loud while tapping and you'll feel the pattern lock in.
All combinations
10 ratios · 4 levels eachThe gateway polyrhythm. Two evenly-spaced notes against three — feels like rocking or breathing.
Mnemonic: "not difficult"
Classical · World · Jazz
Six against four — equivalent to 3:2 doubled. The swing feel lives here.
Mnemonic: "nice cup of tea"
Jazz · Blues · Gospel
Three against four. Less intuitive than 2:3 but equally fundamental.
Mnemonic: "pass the beer"
West African · Classical · Jazz
Four against five — a broad, expansive push-pull.
Contemporary · Gamelan-influenced
Three against five — more dissonant and angular than 3:4.
Mnemonic: "now I understand"
Contemporary · Film
Two against five — uneven, dreamlike pulse.
Modern jazz · Experimental
Four against seven — complex and rarely heard, but deeply hypnotic.
20th century classical · Ambient
Three against seven — one of the most dissonant common ratios.
Spectral music · Avant-garde
Five against seven — highly complex, rarely used outside notation.
Xenakis · Contemporary classical
Two against seven — feels like 3.5 pulses per pattern cycle.
Experimental · Minimalist
What is polyrhythm ear training?
Polyrhythm ear training develops your ability to hear and identify two independent rhythmic streams simultaneously. This is a critical skill for understanding West African drumming, Indian classical music (tala cycles), jazz comping, and much 20th century classical composition.
Unlike time signature training — which identifies a single meter — polyrhythm training asks you to hold two meters in your head at once. Start with 2:3, the most common ratio, before moving to more complex combinations like 4:5 or 3:7.