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How to create your own polyrhythms |
Now that your familiar with my technique on how to play polyrhythms I will teach you how you can create your own. If you look close you can see a basic pattern developing. The first polyrhythm lesson explained 3 over 5. And it was based on a 5-stroke pattern or every 5th note was accented. The subdivision between each of the bass notes was 3 snare notes. In another lesson I explain how to play a 4 over 5 polyrhythm. This was also based on a 5-stroke pattern or every 5th note being accented. The subdivision between each of the bass notes, however, was 4 snare notes (4 over 5). So, you see there is a definite pattern to the madness. I have developed an easy guide below that you can use to come up with your own polyrhythms. The guide uses the bass drum and the snare only to create the polyrhythm. But you may choose to use any two drums you want:
- Number of subdivisions between two notes on the bass drum(drum A) = Rhythm 1
- Number of subdivisions between every accented note on the snare(drum B) = Rhythm 2
So let's try an example: (2 over 3)
In order to subdivide the bass we simply play the snare drum twice for every bass note. In other words you will play two separate equally spaced notes on the snare for every one bass note that is played. To apply the second rule simply accent every third beat of the snare. You simply find which instrument you want to do the subdividing with and apply the above rules to create the two rhythms. You can choose whatever sticking pattern you want for these excercises as long as you put the accent where it needs to be for each of these polyrhythm feels. It should look like this:
This may be a little confusing at first so I'll give another example. In this example we'll do 3 over 2 as opposed to 2 over 3. Well use the bass drum to subdivide the snare drum this time. To get the first rhythm the bass drum will hit two times for every one snare note. And you must now accent every 3rd bass note. Now you will have a 3 over 2 polyrhythm feel.
Experiment with the all the other x-stroke rolls such as 7, 9, 11, 13... to create even more polyrhythm feels. Whatever X is in the x-stroke roll will be one rhythm and however you choose to subdivide the bass will be the other rhythm. You don't always have to subdivide the bass drum, you can just as easily subdivide the snare, but then you have to place the accented notes on the bass. If you do decide to subdivide the snare with the bass you will simply be switching the rhythms for each drum. In other words if you were playing 3:2 or 3 over 2, then instead you will be playing 2:3 or 2 over 3. Playing it either way will not make it a different polyrhythm feel although it may sound different. Experiment with both ways and find out what works and what doesn't.
This concept will give you the correct polyrhythm feel for any polyrhythm your going for. But, know that a polyrhythm feel is not the same as a true polyrhythm. Until you are able to successfully fade out those un-accented reference notes on the drum that the accents are played you will not be technically playing a polyrhythm. Creating the polyrhythm feel in my opinion is one of the best ways to learn true polyrhythms. Once you can produce any of these polyrhythm feels, you are essentially already playing the polyrhythm. You just have to subtract those un-accented notes before it counts as a true polyrhythm. Practice this concept and create your own polyrhythm feels with the goal of eventually turning them into true polyrhythm excercises.
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Scott LaBorde Modified: 2006-12-13 07:57:06 |
