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Polyrhythms are actually more than that

24.23.31.35

Playing two different time signatures is polyrhthmic, but so is simply playing two different rhythms at the same time. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of polyrhythms, and they are heard in countless numbers of songs.

For example, playing eighth notes on the high hat while playing quarter notes on the bass drum is in itself a polyrhythm. A basic 2/4 rock beat is a polyrhythm. They can and do get a lot more complicated than that: "Long Distance Runaround", for example. Or listen to the song "American Jingo" on this link:
http://www.magnacarta.net/audio/attentiondeficit.html
That's Tim Alexander of Primus playing a fairly complicated polyrhythm.

Playing in two different time signatures is yet another level of polyrhythmic drumming, one that few people have reached. I've heard Simon Phillips do it, even playing one time signature with his hands and another with his feet. I've seen Dennis Chambers do it--just last week, in fact. However, most songs don't call for such a feat. But it sure makes for some good brain stretching when practicing the drums.

You want to hear some amazing polyrhythms in songs? Pick up any Tipographica album (see link).

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