In Reply to: Drumming Query (Technical)- Seeking Examples of "Polyrhythms" in Rock Songs posted by Todd Krieger on December 27, 2006 at 19:44:25:
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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Follow Ups
- Polyrhythms are actually more than that - boa2 00:31:51 12/28/06 (11)
- Ringo could have kicked either of their butts!!!! - Duilawyer 16:03:32 12/28/06 (0)
- Good post! - markrohr 06:27:47 12/28/06 (9)
- Re: Good post! - boa2 09:49:53 12/28/06 (8)
- Re: Good post! - Squonk 13:18:02 12/28/06 (7)
- Steve Gadd does it all over the place - boa2 13:21:49 12/28/06 (6)
- Keith Carlock - mes 08:12:32 12/29/06 (2)
- Steve Gadd's drums... - Finch Platte 07:53:53 12/29/06 (1)
- That was the 70s/80s drum sound - markrohr 13:27:34 12/29/06 (0)
- He is absolutely awesome!! Aja is a classic drum tour de force. - Duilawyer 22:07:22 12/28/06 (0)