4 Over 5 Polyrhythms - Advanced Drum Lessons

To clarify for all of the viewers, this is a polymeter and not a polyrhythm. Here's why: A polyrhythm occurs when rhythms of different subdivisions are occurring at the same time in the same time signature. Most common would be like 5 beats in 4/4 and quarter notes in 4/4. What you are hearing is a measure of 4/4 split both into four equal parts (the quarters), and into 5 equal parts, and then played at once. A polymeter is when two TIME SIGNATURES are happening at the same time. Polyrhythms will land on the same beat every downbeat of a measure (or group of measures, depending on how it is divided), while polymeters will only meet on the same beat after the lowest common denominator of beats is reached. (i.e. 3/4 against 4/4 will meet on the downbeat in 12 beats, 3 x 4). This video shows a polymeter because the top line is downbeats in 4/4,  and the bottom is accents on 1 and 3 in 5/4. The pulse is the same, and the timing of quarter notes is the same, except that the top line has 4 quarter notes in a sequence (or measure), while the bottom has 5. Hence, polyrhythm (multiple rhythms at once), polymeter (multiple meters, or time signatures, at once). Hope this helps. This video is a great explanation either way, just mislabeled. Keep drumming!

Danny Carey should've taught the real 4:5 polyrhythm

this is wrong. your five pattern is not even. all pulsations should be equally distant in time. it's trickier, but good attempt

For a pure (constant) polyrhythm that fits into one measure I made this mnemonic about indian food: Papadam is best with chutney"

i have thought about this concept on my own and how it would sound. never knew it was actually a thing

i love the sound of your snare!

These videos are very helpful :) hope there are more

I'm happy that you shared your valuable knowledge with us.

Very cool, thanks!

This is not 4 over 5. This is 4 over 4 times of 5/8 with accents 2+3

This is so COOL!

Its alright man. Thanks for explaining. The difference between the two is now solidified in my head.

That was super informative and im not even a drummer! Im a beatboxer and im going to use your lessons to improve! Thanks for the great video!

your drums sound great

What part of the meter would you reccomend 'feeling' as you play it? For example, would you pay closer attention to (and thus 'feel') the syncopated 5 pattern? Or would you pay closer attention (and thus 'feel') the simpler 4 straight quarter note pattern? I know my question is a little complicated haha.

Great, which song is that one at the end of the video? Great song!!

Being able to learn this type of stuff in trackers like Renoise allows it to make so much more sense.

10:22 please make a lesson with this fill, this is great

this is remarkably groovy!

@SONORSQ2guy well, probably also because he has an acrylic kit, because i think that a wooden shell has different resonant frequencies, which sound less basketball-like.