Polyrhythms/Cross Rhythms

[ntom]

I have been thinking about writing this topic for 3 weeks now but my job just wouldn't allow the time - fortunately I quit that job as of today.

I don't seem to have as good of a grasp on Rhythms as I would hope some, and I think the most interesting thing is cross rhythms (I think that is what they are called)
I just want to know about them, how do you form a cross rhythm? What is a cross rhythm?
And in general, help me understand rhythms and forming them.

I feel like knowing these things will help expand my musical world.

[Bobbotov]

Possibly polyrhythms:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-rhythm

[ntom]

Yeah that!

[Bobbotov]

You might like some of these (Some you have to watch directly on Youtube):

[quayquay17]

[jancivil]

cross-rhythms is a type of polyrhythm.

triplets is a cross-rhythm. it's a pulse in the time of another base pulse, eg., three in the time of two. notated 3:2 with perhaps a bracket. 2:3 might be two dotted values against three not-dotted values, in compound time.



note the pulse throughout on the sock cymbal.

[jancivil]

one compelling polyrhythmic thing to me comes out of africa, 7+5 = 12 against a three emphasis in the 12. 7+5 amounts to a syncopation but it has a certain kind of weight, given as //quarter, quarter, dotted quarter; quarter, dotted quarter// repeatedly.

or take that assymetry further. 16 as 9+7 to give assymetry/syncopation to a 4 emphasis.
etc...

but in the terminology, there is no crossing there, it can all be explained in terms of subdivision. 2:3 in compound time, both are contained within the whole so there is no 'cross' to it.

but say you have 5:4; this amounts to two different pulses, ie., different rates, you could describe it as two different tempi.

[quayquay17]

one compelling polyrhythmic thing to me comes out of africa, 7+5 = 12 against a three emphasis in the 12. 7+5 amounts to a syncope but it has a certain kind of weight, given as //quarter, quarter, dotted quarter; quarter, dotted quarter// repeatedly.

Absolutely love the 7+5!
I really want to take a class in African rhythm~!

[JumpingJackFlash]

I have been thinking about writing this topic for 3 weeks now but my job just wouldn't allow the time - fortunately I quit that job as of today.

I don't seem to have as good of a grasp on Rhythms as I would hope some, and I think the most interesting thing is cross rhythms (I think that is what they are called)
I just want to know about them, how do you form a cross rhythm? What is a cross rhythm?
And in general, help me understand rhythms and forming them.

I feel like knowing these things will help expand my musical world.

In the broadest sense, polyrhythm simply means two or more different rhythms performed at the same time.

Cross Rhythm is when two conflicting rhythmic patterns occur at the same time. For example, one part playing 2 notes per beat while another plays 3 notes per beat. (The effect can also be created by using different time-signatures simultaneously in different parts). For example:

[ntom]

Thanks for the videos!
I'm not quite getting how it works. I understand what it is though.
layering 6/8 ontop of 4/4 or similar - or as Jumping Jack stated clear and simply: two contradictory rhythms playing at once.

But, I suppose now my question is, how do you make it sound good and not like a jumbled mess?

[experimental.crow]

Thanks for the videos!
I'm not quite getting how it works. I understand what it is though.
layering 6/8 ontop of 4/4 or similar - or as Jumping Jack stated clear and simply: two contradictory rhythms playing at once.

But, I suppose now my question is, how do you make it sound good and not like a jumbled mess?

same way you get to Carnegie Hall ...

[ntom]

Thanks for the videos!
I'm not quite getting how it works. I understand what it is though.
layering 6/8 ontop of 4/4 or similar - or as Jumping Jack stated clear and simply: two contradictory rhythms playing at once.

But, I suppose now my question is, how do you make it sound good and not like a jumbled mess?

same way you get to Carnegie Hall ...

no one knows?

Okay, well what's a common polyrhythm pattern that seems to work?
I have troubel reading polyrhythm on the staff so, let's just break it down in text form on what seems to be the common 6/8 over 4/4

[quayquay17]

I think the trick for more pop oriented styles is to emphasize the notes/hits that align.
If your song is 4/4 and you have a guitar rhythm that swaps to 6/8, you don't want the guitar to be the heaviest sound, you want it to be a bit of an accent.

Quite a bit of tech-house uses 6/8 synth stabs over 4/4 rhythm, for a very syncopated groovy feel.

This can be tossed out the window if you're doing experimental or avant-garde music of course!

[jancivil]

Thanks for the videos!
I'm not quite getting how it works. I understand what it is though.
layering 6/8 ontop of 4/4 or similar - or as Jumping Jack stated clear and simply: two contradictory rhythms playing at once.

But, I suppose now my question is, how do you make it sound good and not like a jumbled mess?

same way you get to Carnegie Hall ...

no one knows?

Tourist: "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?"
Wise Guy: "Practice."

[jancivil]

a good basis is the son clave.