polyrhythm
Simultaneous conflicting pulses
Polyrhythm is the simultaneous use of two or more conflicting rhythms in music.
A drummer might play three beats with one hand while playing four with the other, creating a layered, interlocking pattern.
Polyrhythm is fundamental to West African drumming and appears throughout jazz, funk, and electronic music: The song's polyrhythm gives it that hypnotic quality.
Narrow cut or routine
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- pocketFabric compartment in clothing
- pulseArterial blood throb
- tensionStretched or strained state
drive · momentum · syncopation · lilt · lift · push · pull · flow
West African funk-jazz fusion
- Afro-CubanBlending African and Cuban
- funkDepression or groove music
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
- prog-rockAmbitious, complex popular music
gamelan · highlife · salsa · samba · rumba · flamenco · Hindustani · minimalism
Hand-struck goblet drum
Device that measures usage
- time-signatureRhythmic notation fraction
- ratioComparative numerical relation
- compositeMade of distinct parts
- additiveSubstance mixed in
divisive · asymmetric · modulation · resolution · convergence · downbeat · periodicity · notation
Portion of something larger
- ostinatoRepeating musical figure
- claveLatin music's rhythmic spine
- superimpositionLayering one element over another
- layeringForming successive strata
interlocking · phasing · polymeter · grouping · accent · displacement · cycle · pattern
groove
Narrow cut or routine
tension · drive · momentum · syncopation · lilt · lift · push · pull · flow · interplay
Afrobeat
West African funk-jazz fusion
- Afro-CubanBlending African and Cuban
- funkDepression or groove music
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
prog-rock · gamelan · highlife · salsa · samba · rumba · flamenco · Hindustani · minimalism · EDM
djembe
Hand-struck goblet drum
meter
Device that measures usage
- time-signatureRhythmic notation fraction
- ratioComparative numerical relation
- compositeMade of distinct parts
additive · divisive · asymmetric · modulation · resolution · convergence · downbeat · periodicity · notation · transcription
subdivision
Portion of something larger
- ostinatoRepeating musical figure
- claveLatin music's rhythmic spine
- superimpositionLayering one element over another
layering · interlocking · phasing · polymeter · grouping · accent · displacement · cycle · pattern · independence
- rhythmbeat, pulse, tempo, downbeat, upbeat
- musicianshipsinging, playing, performing, practicing, harmonizing
- rhythmsbeat, syncopation, offbeat, cadence, downbeat
- musical termsadagio, andante, allegro, lento, largo
- Black DiasporaAfrican American, African Americans, African diaspora, African heritage, African roots
- drummingsnare drum, drum roll, drumroll, beat, drumsticks