cross-rhythm
Overlapping rhythmic patterns
Cross-rhythm is the simultaneous use of conflicting rhythmic patterns in music—typically two or more patterns that don't share the same pulse or accent structure.
A common example is playing three beats against two, creating tension and complexity.
Cross-rhythms are fundamental to West African drumming, jazz, and polyrhythmic traditions: The pianist's left hand maintained a steady pulse while her right hand played in cross-rhythm.
Overlapping musical beat patterns
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- interlockingEngaging by overlap
- phasingImplementing by stages
triplet · quintuplet · septuplet · clave · ostinato · displacement · superimposition · subdivision
Percussive rhythm-making
- claveLatin music's rhythmic spine
- djembeHand-struck goblet drum
- congaCuban hand drum
- timbalesShallow single-headed drum pair
talking drum · cajon · hand drumming · ensemble · stick control · independence · coordination
Nigerian funk-jazz fusion genre
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
- salsaSpicy tomato condiment
- sambaAfro-Brazilian celebratory dance
- funkDepression or groove music
highlife · cumbia · swing · blues · bossa nova · juju · rumba · calypso
polyrhythm
Overlapping musical beat patterns
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- interlockingEngaging by overlap
phasing · triplet · quintuplet · septuplet · clave · ostinato · displacement · superimposition · subdivision · accentuation
drumming
Percussive rhythm-making
timbales · talking drum · cajon · hand drumming · ensemble · stick control · independence · coordination
afrobeat
Nigerian funk-jazz fusion genre
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
- salsaSpicy tomato condiment
- sambaAfro-Brazilian celebratory dance
funk · highlife · cumbia · swing · blues · bossa nova · juju · rumba · calypso
tension
Stretched or strained state
- complexityState of being complicated
- textureSurface tactile quality
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
swing · feel · drive · momentum · push-pull · interplay · synergy · juxtaposition · layering · density
samba
Afro-Brazilian celebratory dance
- rhythmbeat, pulse, tempo, downbeat, upbeat
- rhythmsbeat, syncopation, offbeat, cadence, downbeat
- rhythm termsbeat, tempo, meter, cadence, syncopation
- Rhythm Changessyncopation, rubato, fermata, ritardando, accelerando
- rhythm notationwhole note, half note, quarter note, eighth note, sixteenth note
- syncopationoffbeat, backbeat, anticipation, upbeat, shuffle
cross, rhythm, across, rhythmic, rhythms, rhythmically, arrhythmia, arrhythmic, unrhythmic