4-Way Polyrhythm

[-MIKE-]

Here's something to break up the boredom in here.
I posted this in facebook for some friends who were asking about it.

I'm playing a 4-way polyrhythm, 2, 3, 5, & 7 all together in the same
measure.
Tell me what what you think and if you can suggest a *musical*
application for it.
Right now, it's just a brain exercise and not very entertaining,
unless you count my goofy hat (hey, it was cold). :-)

To my facebook buds, sorry for the repeat.

[Pete Pemberton]

Post by -MIKE-
Here's something to break up the boredom in here.
I posted this in facebook for some friends who were asking about it.
I'm playing a 4-way polyrhythm, 2, 3, 5, & 7 all together in the same measure.
Tell me what what you think and if you can suggest a *musical*
application for it.
Right now, it's just a brain exercise and not very entertaining,
unless you count my goofy hat (hey, it was cold). :-)
http://youtu.be/443n8Udr77k
To my facebook buds, sorry for the repeat.

Wow, impressive! A little cue from Bozzio's ostinato stuff. Frankly
gives me a headache thinking about it. Not sure about the practical use
in a song. Sounds pretty industrial.

PP

[-MIKE-]

Post by Pete Pemberton

Post by -MIKE-
Here's something to break up the boredom in here.
I posted this in facebook for some friends who were asking about it.
I'm playing a 4-way polyrhythm, 2, 3, 5, & 7 all together in the same measure.
Tell me what what you think and if you can suggest a *musical*
application for it.
Right now, it's just a brain exercise and not very entertaining,
unless you count my goofy hat (hey, it was cold). :-)
http://youtu.be/443n8Udr77k
To my facebook buds, sorry for the repeat.

Wow, impressive! A little cue from Bozzio's ostinato stuff. Frankly
gives me a headache thinking about it. Not sure about the practical use
in a song. Sounds pretty industrial.
PP

You're right. The hardest part will be figuring out something musical
for it.
OR it'll just be an exercise.

[f***@aol.com]

Post by Pete Pemberton

Post by -MIKE-
Here's something to break up the boredom in here.
I posted this in facebook for some friends who were asking about it.
I'm playing a 4-way polyrhythm, 2, 3, 5, & 7 all together in the same measure.
Tell me what what you think and if you can suggest a *musical*
application for it.
Right now, it's just a brain exercise and not very entertaining,
unless you count my goofy hat (hey, it was cold).  :-)
http://youtu.be/443n8Udr77k
To my facebook buds, sorry for the repeat.

Wow, impressive! A little cue from Bozzio's ostinato stuff. Frankly
gives me a headache thinking about it. Not sure about the practical use
in a song. Sounds pretty industrial.
PP

You're right.  The hardest part will be figuring out something musical
for it.
OR it'll just be an exercise.
--
  -MIKE-
  "Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
     --Elvin Jones  (1927-2004)
  --
 http://mikedrums.com
  ---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Nice. I agree its impressive. I can get up to the 5's (helps if I
play it with two hands), but I have zero chance of laying the 7's over
that!
I think it will become music as you begin rotating which limb plays
which grouping ;-)
BTW, now I've made a mental note to always picture you as a cool hat-
wearing guy whenever I read one of your posts.

FastLundy
PaulLundquist

[-MIKE-]

Post by f***@aol.com

Post by -MIKE-
http://youtu.be/443n8Udr77k

Nice. I agree its impressive. I can get up to the 5's (helps if I
play it with two hands), but I have zero chance of laying the 7's over
that!
I think it will become music as you begin rotating which limb plays
which grouping ;-)
BTW, now I've made a mental note to always picture you as a cool hat-
wearing guy whenever I read one of your posts.
FastLundy
PaulLundquist

Well Paul, I appreciate you being so kind about the wardrobe.
I'll remember that in future correspondence. :-)

I have a couple clip on my facebook page of a 3-4-5 poly, in which
I move the 3 around to different surfaces with the left hand. That
actually sounds a bit musical.

If you're on facebook, look me up. If not, maybe I'll youtube that one,
too.

[Chris Milillo]

Post by -MIKE-
Here's something to break up the boredom in here.
I posted this in facebook for some friends who were asking about it.
I'm playing a 4-way polyrhythm, 2, 3, 5, & 7 all together in the same
measure.
Tell me what what you think and if you can suggest a *musical* application
for it.
Right now, it's just a brain exercise and not very entertaining,
unless you count my goofy hat (hey, it was cold). :-)
http://youtu.be/443n8Udr77k
To my facebook buds, sorry for the repeat.
-MIKE-

Sounds like a Sam Ash drum department on a Saturday afternoon! :-)

Nice independence, and interesting concept, but you should add a disclaimer:
"Don't try this at home"!

CM

[-MIKE-]

Post by Chris Milillo

Post by -MIKE-
I'm playing a 4-way polyrhythm, 2, 3, 5, & 7 all together in the same
measure.
http://youtu.be/443n8Udr77k
-MIKE-

Sounds like a Sam Ash drum department on a Saturday afternoon! :-)
"Don't try this at home"!
CM

I had another guy comment, "It's like being in a clock repair shop."

As for trying it at home, I'm willing to bet that 4 of 5 guys in here
(who've never tried it, obviously) could have 3-way down in 15min
to an hour. I was amazed at how quickly it comes to you.

Something like this
http://www.mikedrums.com/3-4-5_pt2.mov
which I also put up on youtube is that works better for you.
http://www.youtube.com/user/mikeadiddle

[Sean Conolly]

Post by -MIKE-
As for trying it at home, I'm willing to bet that 4 of 5 guys in here
(who've never tried it, obviously) could have 3-way down in 15min
to an hour. I was amazed at how quickly it comes to you.

2-3-4 , sure.
2-3-5 , fuggit about it :-)

Sean

[Pete Pemberton]

Post by Chris Milillo

Post by -MIKE-
Here's something to break up the boredom in here.
I posted this in facebook for some friends who were asking about it.
I'm playing a 4-way polyrhythm, 2, 3, 5, & 7 all together in the same
measure.
Tell me what what you think and if you can suggest a *musical* application
for it.
Right now, it's just a brain exercise and not very entertaining,
unless you count my goofy hat (hey, it was cold). :-)
http://youtu.be/443n8Udr77k
To my facebook buds, sorry for the repeat.
-MIKE-

Sounds like a Sam Ash drum department on a Saturday afternoon! :-)
"Don't try this at home"!
CM

Really! Someone should market a headache powder or a neck brace!

PP

[Chris Whealy]

Post by -MIKE-
Here's something to break up the boredom in here.
I posted this in facebook for some friends who were asking about it.
I'm playing a 4-way polyrhythm, 2, 3, 5, & 7 all together in the same
measure.
Tell me what what you think and if you can suggest a *musical*
application for it.
Right now, it's just a brain exercise and not very entertaining,
unless you count my goofy hat (hey, it was cold). :-)
http://youtu.be/443n8Udr77k
To my facebook buds, sorry for the repeat.

Well you got me on that one!

Kudos for actually being able to play this polyrhythm, but I must say
I'm at a loss to think of a musical setting for it.

However, the Yellow Jackets often make use of simpler 3 on 4
polyrhythms. Take for example, the intro to Sightseeing on their album
Four Corners. It starts of with a 3 on 4 rhythm, then adds a 6/8 rhythm
based on the tempo of the 3 beat pattern in the intro.

Also, Mike Mangini plays some pretty wild polyrhythms like 17 on 32 and
9 on 16. This stuff usually crops up in his solos though.

Chris W

[Russell Lane]

Holy cow. Dude, I bow.

Musical applications..... maybe bride and groom's first dance at a
Balkan wedding?

Seriously, that is pretty damned cool.

Post by Chris Whealy

Post by -MIKE-
Here's something to break up the boredom in here.
I posted this in facebook for some friends who were asking about it.
I'm playing a 4-way polyrhythm, 2, 3, 5, & 7 all together in the same
measure.
Tell me what what you think and if you can suggest a *musical*
application for it.
Right now, it's just a brain exercise and not very entertaining,
unless you count my goofy hat (hey, it was cold).  :-)
http://youtu.be/443n8Udr77k
To my facebook buds, sorry for the repeat.

Well you got me on that one!
Kudos for actually being able to play this polyrhythm, but I must say
I'm at a loss to think of a musical setting for it.
However, the Yellow Jackets often make use of simpler 3 on 4
polyrhythms.  Take for example, the intro to Sightseeing on their album
Four Corners.  It starts of with a 3 on 4 rhythm, then adds a 6/8 rhythm
based on the tempo of the 3 beat pattern in the intro.
Also, Mike Mangini plays some pretty wild polyrhythms like 17 on 32 and
9 on 16.  This stuff usually crops up in his solos though.
Chris W
--
The voice of ignorance speaks loud and long,
But the words of the wise are quiet and few.
                                         ---

[-MIKE-]

Post by Russell Lane
Holy cow. Dude, I bow.
Musical applications..... maybe bride and groom's first dance at a
Balkan wedding?

Man, I laughed very hard at just "bride and groom's first dance."

Post by Russell Lane
Seriously, that is pretty damned cool.

Thanks for the compliment.

[-MIKE-]

Post by Chris Whealy

Post by -MIKE-
http://youtu.be/443n8Udr77k

Well you got me on that one!
Kudos for actually being able to play this polyrhythm, but I must say
I'm at a loss to think of a musical setting for it.
However, the Yellow Jackets often make use of simpler 3 on 4
polyrhythms. Take for example, the intro to Sightseeing on their album
Four Corners. It starts of with a 3 on 4 rhythm, then adds a 6/8 rhythm
based on the tempo of the 3 beat pattern in the intro.
Also, Mike Mangini plays some pretty wild polyrhythms like 17 on 32 and
9 on 16. This stuff usually crops up in his solos though.
Chris W

Yep, I'm also thinking there is certainly a musical context for a 2 or
even 3 way in certain settings, but the 4 (I did 5 with vocal) is pretty
much relegated to an exercise in independence.

I think the benefit of it will trickle down into the Latin stuff I'm
learning.

Even from a solo perspective, it's prety darn boring unless you're told
up front what's going on. :-)

[Vince Schaefer]

Post by -MIKE-

Post by Chris Whealy
Kudos for actually being able to play this polyrhythm, but I must say
I'm at a loss to think of a musical setting for it.

Yep, I'm also thinking there is certainly a musical context for a 2 or
even 3 way in certain settings, but the 4 (I did 5 with vocal) is pretty
much relegated to an exercise in independence.
I think the benefit of it will trickle down into the Latin stuff I'm
learning.
Even from a solo perspective, it's prety darn boring unless you're told
up front what's going on. :-)

And let's not forget about the possibilities when you add rests or do
rhythms instead of just the pulse. Before you know it, you find they are
just another way to think about what we do all the time. I remember a
teacher working me through a list of 20 favorites, which seemed like such
work at first, then when you finally get it fast, you realize it's some
pattern you play all the time. It's like that game where you keep reading a
phonetic spelling, but it takes you a while to realize what the words are.
Now where did I leave the tri-nome?
Vince

[-MIKE-]

Post by Vince Schaefer
And let's not forget about the possibilities when you add rests or do
rhythms instead of just the pulse. Before you know it, you find they are
just another way to think about what we do all the time.

Spot on.
I've already played some funky swing patterns with 5 and 7, leaving
out some middle notes.

[s***@gmail.com]

Post by -MIKE-
Here's something to break up the boredom in here.
I posted this in facebook for some friends who were asking about it.
I'm playing a 4-way polyrhythm, 2, 3, 5, & 7 all together in the same
measure.
Tell me what what you think and if you can suggest a *musical*
application for it.
Right now, it's just a brain exercise and not very entertaining,
unless you count my goofy hat (hey, it was cold). :-)
http://youtu.be/443n8Udr77k
To my facebook buds, sorry for the repeat.
--
-MIKE-
"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Exceptional work, fellow drummer. Keep it up and please keep sharing these wonderful rhythms. The rhythm sounds great.