polyrhythmic
Multiple simultaneous beat patterns
Polyrhythmic describes music or rhythm that combines two or more contrasting rhythmic patterns simultaneously.
West African drumming and much jazz are polyrhythmic, layering different time signatures or accents that create complex, interlocking textures: The polyrhythmic interplay between the bass and percussion gave the song its drive.
Engaging by overlap
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- layeringForming successive strata
- phasingImplementing by stages
ostinato · staggered · interplay · weaving · groove · swing · shuffle · backbeat
Hand-struck goblet drum
- congasTall Afro-Cuban drums
- tablaIndian paired hand drums
- bongosJoined pair of drums
- timbalesShallow single-headed drum pair
cajón · bodhrán · shakers · cowbell · hi-hat · snare · kick drum · talking drum
Elaborately detailed, many parts
- layeredHaving multiple levels
- interwovenLaced through one another
- complexHaving many interconnected parts
- denseClosely packed together
textured · multifaceted · elaborate · nuanced · kaleidoscopic · braided · overlapping · interleaved
West African funk-jazz fusion
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
- salsaSpicy tomato condiment
- sambaAfro-Brazilian celebratory dance
- funkDepression or groove music
Afro-Cuban · highlife · cumbia · bossa nova · rumba · reggae · calypso · zouk
Device that measures usage
- tempoRate of musical performance
- subdivisionPortion of something larger
- accentRegional speech pattern
- downbeatNegatively toned or dispirited
upbeat · pulse · time signature · polymeter
interlocking
Engaging by overlap
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- layeringForming successive strata
phasing · ostinato · staggered · interplay · weaving · groove · swing · shuffle · backbeat · offbeat
djembe
Hand-struck goblet drum
timbales · cajón · bodhrán · shakers · cowbell · hi-hat · snare · kick drum · talking drum
intricate
Elaborately detailed, many parts
- layeredHaving multiple levels
- interwovenLaced through one another
- complexHaving many interconnected parts
dense · textured · multifaceted · elaborate · nuanced · kaleidoscopic · braided · overlapping · interleaved · stratified
Afrobeat
West African funk-jazz fusion
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
- salsaSpicy tomato condiment
- sambaAfro-Brazilian celebratory dance
funk · Afro-Cuban · highlife · cumbia · bossa nova · rumba · reggae · calypso · zouk
meter
Device that measures usage
- tempoRate of musical performance
- subdivisionPortion of something larger
- accentRegional speech pattern
downbeat · upbeat · pulse · time signature · polymeter
- rhythm typessyncopated, upbeat, downbeat, driving, pulsing
- drummingsnare drum, drum roll, drumroll, beat, drumsticks
polyrhythmicmetronomic
Precisely regular in tempo
uniform · regular · steady · straightforward · lockstep