Two Against Three.

Lesson 2/24 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Rock, Jazz and Funk Drumming

Two Against Three.

A Polyrhythm occurs when two even beats are played in the same time that three even beats are played.

These Rhythms have an individual "feel" about them, and can require considerable practice in order to "feel" them correctly. They are very common in tribal music, West Indian, African etc. as well as Western music. Concentrate on the "feel", to begin with, then study the notation, to see how Poly Rhythms can be formed from alternative rhythmical patterns.

These Rhythms are more popular in todays music because of the subtle manner in which they are usually played.

Before we actually play a polyrhythm, the exercise below will help you to achieve the feel:

By keeping the Bass Drum the same, and playing only the ACCENTED notes in Exercise 466, a Polyrhythm is formed in Exercise 467.
(2 even beats over 3 even beats).

Using the same formula, the exercise below will help you to form another Polyrhythm:

By keeping the Bass Drum the same, and playing only the accented notes in Exercise 468 a Polyrhythm is formed.

Again, Exercise 470 (below) will help you to form another polyrhythm, with 3 beats on top and 2 beats on bottom.

Keep the Bass Drum the same and play only the accented notes in Exercise 470 (above) and this Polyrhythm is formed:

Study the following exercises, and see how Polyrhythm can be formed from VARIATIONS in rhythms.

In Exercise 473 (below), the top rhythm is a VARIATION of eighth note triplets, so the Polyrhythm must be FELT.

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Class Sessions

1- Paradiddles and Sixteenth Notes Incorporating the Bass Drum. 2- LESSON TWENTY-ONE 3- Different Styles 4- Different Beats 5- Polyrhythmic Exercises (Incorprating Sticking). 6- Two Against Three. 7- Different Cymbal Styles (As Applied to the Ride Cymbal) 8- Ride Cymbal Patterns as Applied to Jazz (Swing). 9- A Study in Triplets for Ride Cymbal, Snare and Bass. 10- A Study in Triplets for Ride Cymbal and Snare. 11- Further Studies in Independence: Swing 12- Rock and Funk Independence 13- INTRODUCTION 14- The Para Diddle-Diddle Incorporating the Bass Drum. 15- Rudiments Around the Drums Incorporating the Bass Drum. 16- The Single Paradiddle and Paradiddle - Diddle Around the Drums 17- Around the Drums With Paradiddles 18- Around the Drums With Triplets 19- Groups of Five and Seven, Plus Combinations 20- Sixteenth Notes Combined With Sixteenth Note Triplets and Paradiddle - Diddles. 21- Eight Notes and Triplets Combined With Bass and Hi - Hat. 22- Sticking 23- Combinations in Sixteenth Notes 24- Explanation of Notation

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Two Against Three.