BEHIND THE NOTES:
 
Polyrhythm - n. The use or an instance of simultaneous contrasting rhythms.
 
When I played last week at Kulak's Woodshed, Garry Corman (a songwriter from the Los Angeles area) commented on my use of polyrhythm in a new song "Do You Want To Be My Boyfriend?". This particular song is in common time (4/4 - meaning 4 beats in every measure - divided equally) but in the last section, instead of dividing the measures evenly, I divide each strong beat into three parts. This "3 Feel" creates a kind of floating feeling for the listener. The result is oftentimes called 6/8 (or 12/8).
 
1  *  2  *  3  *  4  * 
 
1 * * 2 * * 3 * * 4 * *
 
Now, this may sound confusing, and if I was there with you, I could tap it out for you - but try this.

Ok - you're sitting at your computer right? Take your left hand and hit it (gently) on your desk (table...whatever) while counting slowly to 4. With your right hand, snap where the &s are and you've got a 4/4 feel.
 
If you are ambitious, you could count aloud:
 
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
 
OK, now, keep your left hand steady - don't speed up or slow down! With your right hand, instead of doing one snap between the main beats, snap twice. It should sound like a waltz (like an "Oom Pah Pah" thing).
 
You could try counting:
 
1 tee tah 2 tee tah 3 tee tah 4 tee tah
 
Now, that's 12/8.
 
The whole idea of polyrhythms is to go back and forth within the same song - creating intrigue, diversity and excitement (yeah baby). Try flipping from 4/4 to 12/8 and keep that left hand steady.
 
It's not easy, but if you keep at it, you'll be ready for a drum kit in no time!

Copyright © Deborah Poppink 2003.
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Deborah Poppink and Treetop Records.