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Polyrhythms

On this page you will find an introduction to polyrhythms, which is the basis of African music. Polyrhythmic music consists of various instruments that play their own rhythm, with their own internal beat, and these rhythms interlock to create complicated patterns. Especially the 12/8 rhythms can often be "heard" as a 4-beat rhythm, or a slower 3-beat rhythm, or a faster 6-beat rhythm, depending on the instrument you focus on. If the djembe tones and slaps are distinct enough, you can even hear both rhythms on one instrument at some point.

African djembe music also habitually mixes different types of rhythms in one part, or alternates between different rhythm types between bars.

Basic polyrhythmicexercise (2 against 3)

The "mother" of all polyrhythms and your very first exercise, is a 6/8 rhythm that is the basis of many other exercises. Tap the top line with your left hand, the bottom one with your right hand. You can use any mix of different objects, you can use the djembe (bass and tone or tone and slap if they're different enough), you can stamp your feet and clap. In short, work the exercise, and discover lots of new stuff to incorporate in your performances!

Note: If you see things like 4b.tt4..s. then you must install the Yankadi font in order to see the music!

And switch patterns of course:
 

The interesting thing about this specific rhythm is that you can hear it in two different ways by changing the accented notes. This effectivelychanges the beat between 2 beats or 3 beats per pattern.
Words orsmall sentences can help you to get the accents right:
 

See if you can say either sentence with either pattern, thereby focusing on either the low or the high instrument / sound for choosing what youperceive as the "main" beat. And finally, alternate sentences and hands / patterns fluidly!

12/8 polyrhythmic exercises 
Like the exercises above, all these exercises too can be played with both hands doing a different rhythm, or with the feet and hands doing different rhythms, or by playing a bell and a doundoun, or djembe bass and tone, and so forth. As proper exercises, all options should be practiced so you will really become immersed in the rhythm.

Very important: use your feet for the regular beat, use stepping. You can practice whilst you run or walk or dance or cycle, out in the woods, in nature, in the gym or listening to the radio. You can use a base drum and high-hat if you have a drum set, or tie some bells to your ankles. This is a valuable practice for your stage presentation later, to step to the music, to allow your body to swing and dance whilst you play! Don't make the mistake of thinking that this will come "naturally" - it won't, go practice!! And as an added bonus, stepping will help you keep the beat and help you to position off-beat rhythms more precisely. This will add to the exactness of your playing and will give your music more power.

What you are aiming for, is to be able to hear the overall rhythm in your mind, so you will be able to switch from one rhythm to another, from one way of hearing the rhythm to another way, or even to play other rhythms over the top of it that will still fit to the underlying rhythm. You can only learn this by practicing the rhythm a lot.

12/8 divided into 4 and 6beats

These examples contain one pattern with 4 beats, one pattern with 6 beats in the same time span.