How can I count 17 against 3 polyrhythm?

Question

Somewhat related to my earlier question: Phrase to help count 3 groups of 17?

How can I count a 17 against 3 polyrhythm (to help me play it)?

Here's a little sound file I made of it in FL Studio being played at a slow tempo: https://picosong.com/wmUzR

Best I've been able to do is:

1-2-3-4-5-6-an'1-2-3-4-5-sixBUT-1-2-3-4-5

Thank you.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-17 08:26:01Z

7

Polyrhythms, especially more complex ones like this, make much more sense if you chart it out.

What you have left is a way to count any given polyrhythm. Obviously the larger your multiple, the harder it is to count (for humans at least).

This is how I learned old Chopin pieces, at least. Works for me.

Watching this thread. I'd be curious if there is a better way to do this.

CommunityBot

1

answered Jan 14, 2019 at 20:07

MitzeMitchell

1162 bronze badges

Nice, concise answer. Although I can't imagine how any listener will actually perceive this exact pattern. 51 'events' is a long time to loose track of the pattern. I imagine it would sound more like a simple triplet feel with two 'hiccups'
– Michael Curtis
Commented Jan 14, 2019 at 22:33

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Eriek · Accepted Answer · 2019-01-15 03:21:15Z

1

Subdivide the 17 into groups of three or the 3 into groups of 17 (the former is obviously much simpler than the latter).

answered Jan 15, 2019 at 3:21

Eriek

5462 silver badges12 bronze badges

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2 Answers 2