Embedded Files
Perform the following polyrhythm examples as duets with a partner, or sing the rhythm of one line while clapping the other.
Two Against Three
Two Against Three
Sing the rhythm of the top line while tapping the bass part.
2) Traditional Folksong (Native American), “Community Ring Dance,” mm. 1–4. Informant/Performer: Leon Manuel (1959). Copied from The American Folk Song Collection (Kodály Center), kodalycollection.org. For more information about the song and a recording see the website here. [Image File | PDF | MuseScore ]
3) Benjamin Britten, “Nocturnal After John Dowland,“ mm. 1–20 [ Image File | Youtube 3:15–3:42]
4) Ethel Smyth, “Haste to the Shore,” from Act I, Scene I of The Wreckers (1906), mm. 74– 91, soprano and piano melody only [Image File | MuseScore | PDF ]
5) Kendrick Lamar, "For the Homies," from Compton State of Mind, Vol. 2 [ Image File ] [ Youtube 0:22–0:30]
6) Johannes Brahms, 7 Fantasien, Op. 116 no. 3 [ Image File ] [ Youtube 8:09–8:28]
7) Ethel Smyth, Act I, Scene I, from The Wreckers (1906), mm. 347– 356, soprano and piano parts only [Image File | MuseScore | PDF ]
8) Benjamin Britten, “Nocturnal After John Dowland,” mm. 42–48 [ Image File | Youtube 4:10-4:19]
9) Alex Warren, “Ordinary,” verse and prechorus, from AW2* (2025), written by Adam Yaron, Alex Warren, CAL & Mags Duval [Image | PDF | MuseScore | Braille | YouTube 0:07–0:35] Note: There's 2:3 at the division level (see the pickups into m. 1), but also 3:2 at the beat level (see the second half of mm. 2, 3, 6, 7).
Three Against Four
Three Against Four
Sing the rhythm of the top line while tapping the bass part.
1) Benjamin Britten, "Nocturnal After John Dowland" mm. 22–28 (Image File) [Youtube 3:43-3:53]
3) Traditional Folksong (Native American), “Community Ring Dance,” mm. 1–4. Informant/Performer: Leon Manuel (1959). Copied from The American Folk Song Collection (Kodály Center), kodalycollection.org. For more information about the song and a recording see the website here. [Image File | PDF | MuseScore ]
Other Polyrhythms
Other Polyrhythms
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Kent D. Cleland & Mary Dobrea-Grindahl, Developing Musicianship through Aural Skills - Available online through the NYU library
Polyrhythms: Explanation, prep exercises, rhythms, and 2 and 3-part rhythms for practice, pp. 458–466 (direct link to section)
Erik Højsgaard, Rhythm: Advanced Studies - Available online through the library
Triplets (including other simple meters), pp. 27–28
2-part exercises: pp. 133–135
Hemiola: p. 29
Duplets: p. 39
Quadruplets: pp. 39–40
Quintuplets and 5 vs. 2: pp. 49–52, pp. 87–89 (includes 5 vs. 4)
Septuplets, 7 vs. 2: pp. 76-78, pp. 93–94 (includes 7 vs. 3)
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