intermediate · LCM = 6
The gateway polyrhythm. Two even pulses against three — foundational in African, classical and jazz.
Pattern — 6 subdivisions per cycle
Mute one layer to focus on the other. LCM = 6 subdivisions per cycle.
About 2:3
The 2:3 polyrhythm places two evenly-spaced notes against three evenly-spaced notes, all within the same time span. The combined pattern creates five attack points per cycle (at positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 if you divide the span into 6 equal units). It's the most fundamental polyrhythm and appears in everything from Chopin to Cuban son to West African drumming.
The LCM of 2 and 3 is 6, so the pattern realigns every 6 subdivisions — one full cycle.
Verbal mnemonic
"not dif-fi-cult"
Say 'not dif-fi-cult' out loud. The syllables map exactly to the combined attack pattern: 'not' = both layers hit, 'dif' = only the 3-layer, 'fi' = only the 2-layer, 'cult' = only the 3-layer.
Practice levels
Hear the combined pattern with visual highlighting
Start →Identify which ratio you're hearing from a short list
Start →Identify with one layer muted — hear the implied pattern
Start →Identify ratio, muted layer, and tempo simultaneously
Start →Examples in music
Chopin Études
Frédéric Chopin
Hands playing 2:3 independently
Son Cubano
Various Cuban
Clave rhythm is built on 2:3
West African Drumming
Various traditions
Core of many ensemble patterns
Take Five
Dave Brubeck
2:3 relationships in 5/4