Songs that use Polyrhythms & Polymeters

Polyrhythms, and their cousin polymeters, can be a difficult concept to get your head around but, once you know what you're looking out for, you'll start spotting them in all sorts of music!
Thank you to everyone who contributed towards this video on the r/musictheory subreddit 🙏
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0:00 4:3 polyrhythm
2:44 3:2 polyrhythm
5:02 Chariots of Fire
6:36 TOOL
7:18 Jacob Collier
8:36 Polymeter
12:15 Outro

[@Londah02]

I don't think I've ever seen "David Bennett Piano" actually play piano

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😉

[@theivory1]

Are you here to watch him play piano?

[@Londah02]

@@theivory1 nah we got 1000000 piano players on youtube but only 1 david bennett

[@frmcf]

David Bennett Piano 5M sub piano reveal?

[@Londah02]

@@frmcf lmao

[@AnOldGreyDog]

So, basically, poly*rhythm* is when the "1" accents line up, but the notes don't, poly*meter* is when the notes line up, but the "1" accents don't...

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Graham Douglas that’s a pretty good way to describe it 😀

[@lordman5497]

Ooooh

[@xdude2011]

But both don't have to start on the first beat of the measure so it's a good way to think of it but not to apply or teach as it could become confusing

[@AnOldGreyDog]

@@xdude2011 Indeed. I was merely trying to provide an aide-memoire to remember which was which, not construct an entire thesis.

[@jasunkarner3916]

On a polymeter, the 1st accents will eventually line up after so many measures, when you reach the first common multiple of the two meters. So for 5/4 and 7/4, at the 35th beat the meters will merge again on the 1st accent of their respective measures, before going off and diverging again. It creates a cool, weaving in and out effect. I recommend looking into the Fripp-Belew-Levin-Bruford era of King Crimson to hear some examples of this.

[@matthewmedina3461]

bruh that snarky puppy teaching the room 4:3 was the ballsiest move I've ever seen

[@JonisMommerency]

The intro of Frame by Frame by King Crimson has one guitar playing 8 notes on repeat, the other guitar which starts at the same time plays the same thing but skips the last note, playing only 7 notes in a 7:8 time signature. So the first note of the 8:4 guitar is now on the second note of the 7:8 guitar, next time it will be on the 3rd note and 4th and 5th untill they meet up again at the first note. That's when they change to the next part of the song. Very nice use of polymeters here.

[@docmcmoth]

Discipline is also entirely written in Polymeter! Each section of the song takes on a new pairing, creating unique and complex melodies interwoven with each other. I saw a whole list of meter used, and it's honestly too much to summarize in a single comment, amazing what those boys could get up to

[@lukahmad5683]

Wow that's amazing! Since you are great detecting that complex arrangements, I have a question that I need to ask. What is it called if the drums play 4/4 just like the drums in Blitzkrieg Bop by Ramones, but the percussion play a little bit swing, like Still Standing by Elton John. I'm sure it sounds clashing but I like it, my band have that one song that play like that. I wanna know what it's called 😆

[@terr4c0]

Discipline would've been the best example for polymeters but it wasn't on this list.

[@toothpastehombre]

If side effects of Vertical Hemiola persist, consult your primary care physician

[@sierra3644]

if u have been diagnosed with Vertical Hemiola you may be entitled to monetary rewards call 1 800 3/2

[@sesclaytpoop8525]

Every year, hundreds of babies die because of Vertical Hemiola Together we can stop this

[@RaymondHng]

Tired of the burning and itching of vertical hemiola? Use Preparation H.

[@gj8683]

And ask your doctor if Horizontila is right for you.

[@KusanagiMotoko100]

At least it's not ligma.

[@4scended498]

4:3 straight up sounds like a grammarly advert

[@tubthungusbychumbungus]

IF WRITE ANYTHING ON YOUR COMPUTER YOU NEED TO GET GRA-

[@jdsarfo610]

lmaaooo

[@kristijanfistrek9055]

Pass the goddamn butter.

[@yoursleepparalysisdemon8171]

4:30

[@xLextonx]

@4 S C E N D E D For real though

[@eggsontoast]

Both polyrhythms and polymeters scratch my brain in a good way, I've always loved playing them

[@voxac30withstrat]

Ive got scars on my brain

[@High.on.Life_DnB]

They can be really complicated to get to sound right, but it's AMAZING when a plan fits together 😎

[@dumbee.3671]

My favorite band that uses polymeter regularly is no other than Meshuggah. Polymeter is used all over their music. But my favorite example is in their song “Do Not Look Down,” where in the verse, the guitar and bass is in 17/16, while the drums are in 4/4. It also switches later, where the guitar and bass switch to 15/16. It all creates this insane cyclical groove that is very unique.

[@madiserket2]

because of adam neely 4:3 only makes me hear "pass the god damn butter"

[@XistoKente]

Thanks to Jake Lizzio I hear 3:2 as "not difficult".

[@grahamconnorhudsonjameson8834]

Same!

[@Nazula236]

I learned it as "pass the salt and pepper" years ago and have never been able to shake it whenever I hear it

[@bpdrumstudio]

My professor in music school during my last year of music theory, taught us this pass the god damn butter. It don't bother me swearing but as a drum instructor I can't (at least with some students lol) So I ended up using instead Pass The Peanut Butter

[@therealzilch]

I don't know how old "pass the god damn butter" is, but I learned it at UC Berkeley in 1970.

[@floriandotsch2600]

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody with the "So you think you can stone me and spin my eye" part

[@DavidBennettPiano]

great suggestion! I can't believe I missed that one!

[@zappycrook1130]

March of the Black Queen, too. That's in the instrumental part in the middle of the song - around 3 minutes in

[@philipclayberg4928]

I'll add the Rush songs "Limelight" (in 3/4) and "Freewill" (back and forth between 4/4 and 7/4, I think), and Pink Floyd's song "Money" (7/8, then 4/4). I was waiting for those, but didn't hear you mention any of them.

[@TheDutchCreeperTDC]

@@philipclayberg4928 that's changing time signatures, not the same as a polyrhythm/polymeter. Besides, the main money bass riff is in 7/4, not 7/8.

[@xbird532]

Philip Clayberg Changing time signatures isn’t the same as a polyrhythm or polymeter

[@krisnilsson5044]

The album Polygondwanaland by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard is almost entirely in polyrhythms. The song “The Castle in the Air” is a stand out for me.

[@UnsIiced]

Always the first thing that comes to mind when polyrhythms come up

[@steamline432]

there's definitely a reason it's called "poly"gondwanaland. It's also got some amazing polymeter parts, especially crumbling castle (which is just about exclusively in polymeter).

[@villerger_27]

Crumbling Castle's intro is just amazing imo And I'm surprised they can play The Fourth Colour live lol

[@macronencer]

My favourite polymeter is the strings in the opening of Holst's Jupiter. They all start on different beats of a triplet, but it's in straight four. Genius.

[@SteamTheatreProd]

Also Chopin's fantasie impromptu! A crazy 4:3

[@stefanlewszuk5359]

Whenever I hear Chariots of fire now, I always think of Rowan Atkinson on the synth at the Olympics 😂

[@TheDutchCreeperTDC]

Same. It's quite funny to me that that is actually the only moment I remember from all of the 2012 Olympics

[@yesdcotchin]

@@TheDutchCreeperTDC the Queen jumping out of a helicopter with James Bond?

Hahaha same! Rowan Atkinson rules!

[@ewthmatth]

Going to search for that clip now :D Definitely rewatched it a few times back then

[@YourMom-kp2xh]

I’m impressed by how normal the gorrillaz made 5/4 sound

[@pjsdunne]

Listen to "Everything's Alright" from the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack. It's effortless. It was years before I realised it's 5/4.

[@GeekyNerd_FTW]

Tut Tut Child - Queen of Your Heart as well

[@Kornrock1969]

Clint Eastwood as well

[@xxxtentioncable6813]

The Patient by Tool makes 5/4 sound completely effortless.

[@isahamilton01]

xxxtentioncable The Patient is an absolute masterpiece, such a slept on Tool song. Definitely in my top ten by them.

[@nicholasp5802]

Long Distance Runaround by Yes deserves a mention. The band plays 4/4 while drums play 5/8. Really cool

[@andreadena01]

Polymeter : “Easy Money” by King Crimson (1973). The verse has John Wetton’s vocals in 7/8 while the instruments (bass/drums mainly) keep a 4/4 beat throughout

[@DanielGonzalezC]

Black Dog by Led Zeppelin is probably one of the most legendary examples of polymeter. It still does my head in from time to time.

[@pongop]

Plus the abrupt time signature changes! Amazing.

[@limegreenelevator]

Seven sharps in a key signature always makes my stomach do flips.

[@mvmarchiori]

I can't particularly remember seeing seven sharps. They usually notate the music in Db or Bb minor to avoid it, even when modulating directly from C# minor to C# major, they normally switch to Db flat instead.

[@katetanner28]

Yeah, as a violinist, once I see more than five I'm terrified!

[@isaiahd9947]

@@mvmarchiori I just assume every note is sharp lmao

[@paulbadertscher]

Somebody convince me why it's necessary for a keyboard piece to be written in 7 sharps. Why choose that particular key, when shifting up or down a half-tone would simplify?

[@mvmarchiori]

@@paulbadertscher The piano uses equal temperament, and it results in some tonalities getting scales and intervals without "brightness", and/or too dull. Try listening (playing live would be better) the third Impromptu, in G flat Major, by Schubert. Now play it in G Major. It changes completely; gets darker, and less interesting. I'm sure someone can give you an better answer, though.

[@carlo4594]

I was at that Snarky Puppy Tiny Desk Concert and all I can say is that there is nothing compared to seeing them live. It was amazing, and I'll never forget the experience. I also have 2 other examples of polyrhythm and polymeter from none other than the Beatles. Magical Mystery Tour's final verse ("the magical mystery tour is dying to take you away") has a Vertical Hemiola polyrhythm. Paul's vocals are quarter notes on the beat (in 3/4) while the horns play dotted quarter arpeggios to counteract the vocals. The polymeter example is in "Happiness is a Warm Gun," and it was originally an accident. During the final section of the song, John sings his verse ("When i hold you in my arms...") in 3/4, with the guitar and bass switching to 3/4 patterns, while Ringo's drum part remains in 4/4. Ringo was supposed to switch to 3/4 as well but forgot and stayed steady through his mistake. In the end it was a happy accident that made the song even more iconic.

[@voxac30withstrat]

Wow that stuff about the Beatles was really interesting

[@David-iv6je]

People should really check out Snarky Puppy. Their 2012 video album "We like it here" is some of the best music I've heard in ages.

[@X-UP-and-DOWN-X]

Dude, you are phenomenal! I’ve watched about 10 of your videos now through the suggestion feed and I really love your music theory. Easy enough for beginners like me, but advanced enough to where I feel like I’m able to learn a lot and really understand it all. Definitely earned a subscriber in me!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks! That really means a lot 😊

[@mikaeldk5700]

@@DavidBennettPiano Dream Theater - Dance of Eternity ? Would be massive on this channel ...

[@decalice4272]

King Crimson's Frame By Frame has two guitar parts playing 7/8 and 13/8 respectively. Also, their song Thela Hun Ginjeet has the rhythm section playing in 4/4 and the guitars playing in 7/8

[@teradex124]

You can’t make a David Bennett video without an example by Radiohead :)

[@alwithadot]

I love that

[@majorse000]

or if not Radiohead then the Beatles

[@tomcostello85]

True.

[@danopticon]

When I was a little kid, my mom absolutely BLEW MY MIND by telling me Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” was… in 5/4!! I hope all of you were as lucky to have fun, musical family members growing up. 🤗

[@pongop]

My grandpa and uncle played music, but my dad says that he can only play the radio, and not even that well.

[@kakahtukat]

😂

[@snookerwither9955]

There is a polymeter towards the end of Muse's song Animals, where the guitar and bass play in 5/4 time and the drums play in 4/4 time Also, I'm not sure if it is a polymeter, but the intro of Biffy Clyro's song Glitter And Trauma has a drum part in 4/4 and a guitar melody in something like 9/8

[@antononononon]

and "supremacy" by Muse

[@DanielFerreira-ds7lm]

I got here a year later. Just watched this vid for the first time and my first thought was Animals, by Muse

[@p_biggie]

Absolutely criminal to not feature Polygondwanaland by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard! That whole album is a masterclass on how to incorporate polyrhythm in ways that are exciting and fresh

[@TotalVoiceStudio]

Many great examples of polyrhythm from Chopin's piano music, including: - Three against four: Fantaisie Impromptu - Five against two: Nocturne, Op. 15, No. 3 - Two against three: Nocturne, Op. 48, No. 2 - 11 against 6: Nocturne Op 9 no 1 And the dreamiest use of polyrhythm ever... Mozart Piano concerto No 21, Elvira Madigan

[@shantihealer]

And with Chopin at the end of the Ballade No.1 ?

[@ajespers426]

The Hollow Knight soundtrack is also full of polyrhythms, like the whole section at the end of City of Tears is 4 against 3 (it might be 3 against 4, but the 3 is in the bass). Also that sweet piano bit in Hornet uses 4 against 3 for part of it.

[@philippgra8191]

You will always get me with Thom on the thumbnail

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thom Ol' Reliable Yorke

[@mira_spacemoth]

**HIM**

[@washmonument]

@@DavidBennettPiano wha-

[@johnnyflamevlogz8203]

All I can think of is the 3:2 polyrhythm in Gamma Knife by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Now that’s a band that warrants a lot of music theory analysis

[@ganon1028]

So much 7/4.

[@josephkarl2061]

If I had the time, that band would be my PhD thesis.

[@athomeinventions7266]

Anything in polygondwanaland would be great in this video. Just to make people lose all hope

[@josephkarl2061]

@@athomeinventions7266 I hate to use the word genius because it can be a cliche, but I think that's a very appropriate word for those guys.

[@sierra3644]

literally all of nonagon infinity lol

[@TK-fk4po]

This is easily one of the most informative music channels I’ve stumbled upon.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you! 😀😃😃

[@eec3641]

Live recordings of The National's Fake Empire are always interesting, as you can often hear the crowd struggling to decide which rhythm they're going to clap along with

[@frogindeed]

The Shaggs have some of the most complicated polyrhythms ever. Shame they weren't intentional.

[@oiradzenitram]

frogindeed pretty sure they meant to create their music that way.

[@frogindeed]

@ In either case, I defy our friend David Bennet to analyse any of it.

[@LilHaseProductions]

what song? don't tell me it's my fucking dog foot foot.

[@boofestPeggy]

listen to Palberta!

[@jimgiblet]

very good example, I wonder if they ever played a song the same way more than once?

[@TheDutchCreeperTDC]

Killing In The Name has interesting polyrythms in the intro. While the bass is playing 8th note triplets, the guitar riff follows it for the first triplet but then continues the riff with 4 regular 8th notes. Edit: oh yeah and Murder By Numbers by The Police uses a polymeter to confuse you in a really awesome way in the intro! Also also, the instrumental pre chorus of Black Dog by Led Zeppelin features a pretty complicated polymeter with the guitar and bass playing what I think was either 7/8 or 9/8 (can't check rn) against a 4/4 drum beat.

[@sinklar1224]

That 4/4 drum beat is known as a backbeat. Pretty common in progressive metal and djent.

[@sinklar1224]

I couldn't hear any polyrhythm in the murder by numbers intro, i think its the 3 8th note anacrusis which throws you off, plus some interesying syncopated high hat hits

[@TheDutchCreeperTDC]

@@sinklar1224 The accents on the snare rim together with the kick happen every 3 beats. It's only when the full band comes in halfway through the verse that you get the context to realise so. In the chorus it makes even more sense as you get the regular rock/pop pattern with a kick on beat 1 and 3 and a snare on 2 and 4.

[@TheSharkAnt]

"Killing In The Name" uses quarter note triplets, not eighth note triplets.

[@fredh9808]

This channel is gold

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you!

[@JeroenBrosens]

The Mirror by Dream Theater, starts with John Petrucci playing a guitar riff that gets 4 (!) consecutive polymeters by Mike Portnoy on drums.

[@emilrostad9720]

Examples of Polymeter: Every song ever by Meshuggah

[@guitaristssuck8979]

I don't think he ever heard about them

[@vladnikitin2566]

Do you mean the djent grandfathers?

[@nbecerra17]

Or any progressive metal song, these are not real polyrithms, those are different distribution of notes, the polyrithms is something different, and you can analize them in anh Meshuggah song or any progressive rock/prog metal songs

[@Tomahawks360]

@@nbecerra17 Yeah, thats why OP said polymeter and not polyrhythm.

[@holygroove2]

No - If Meshugah's music was poly metric then it wouldn't sound like it does. They stopped using poly meters after Destroy Erase Improve. Most of their music after Chaosphere is in 4/4 or 12/8. They deliberately stretch the riffs across the bar lines in a way that sounds like multiple meters, but it's all in 4/4, hence the bands name - Meshugah, meaning crazy. "Cycles" of phrases in 4/4 time.

[@jrhoadley]

I always liked this kind of music, but never realized it was polyrhythm. Thank you!

[@chrisrodsa210]

Nobody ever mentions the Polymeter in Metallica's One, leading up to the machine gun riff part. Where the drums switch to 4/4 and guitars stay in 3/4.

[@robertbrown2728]

I've been fascinated by this for a long time. Thank you for the in-depth analysis.

[@DonovanPresents]

2:50 sounds like a cell phone alarms have 😆

[@KlausSgroi]

First thing I thought, but I'd argue it's more because of the sound of the instrument than the rhythm itself.

[@loja38]

'Discipline' by King Crimson has a lot of polymeters, you should check it out !

[@chaosme1ster]

And for "Discipline" substitute almost any recently-ish Crimson title...

[@Symphonicrockfran]

Frame by Frame, on that same album too!

[@funkygawy]

I love the wikipedia description: "During the piece the two guitars of Belew and Fripp, respectively, move through the following sequence of pairs of time signatures: 5 /8 and 5/8, 5/8 and 4/4, 5/8 and 9/8, 15/16 and 15/16, 15/16 and 14/16, 10/8 and 20/16, 15/16 and 15/16, 15/16 and 14/16, 12/16 and 12/16, 12/16 and 11/16, 15/16 and 15/16, 15/16 and 14/16. Throughout the composition the drums play in 17/16."

[@tonebank2000]

no mention of discipline really shocked me

[@racketman2u]

you guys had me intrigued, so I did a search for the track. Now I'm getting all sorts of weird shit in my recommends!

[@mxncrrn]

i'm about to apply for the most prestigious music school in my country AND YOUR VIDEOS ARE HELPING ME A LOT TO REFRESH MY KNOWLEDGE IN MUSIC, so thank you!

[@swingyouth2749]

YOU'RE SO GOOD! xD I can't get over how accessible your videos are; so well explained, and perfect choice of words for your descriptions!

[@p4nico20]

the king crimson album Discipline is full of polyrhytms and polymeters

[@jcf1963]

Fripp called it "Western Gamelan" after the marimba music of Bali.

[@nuke97]

@@jcf1963 nice, learned something new. Going to check out that music.

[@legioneelletregi1100]

"Polyrhythm" by Perfume has... well, polyrhythms

[@Isakbruford]

Aren't those polymeters?

[@eileennono5039]

Ironically, the label didn't like the polyrhythms in Polyrhythm and made a radio edit that excludes them.

[@soundscapes2300]

Thank you so much brother! Noone has ever explained polyrhythms so well for me..way to put it into context ! Lovin the music knowledge your dropping

[@isabelle-alicejoubert5314]

Thank you for making polyrhythms understandable to a musical novice like me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it 🙏 Not just this video, but many others you have produced. I think we underestimate the work that goes it into it :)

[@annoschreier1860]

The "When I hold you in my arms..." part of "Happiness Is A Warm Gun" is really weird, because the drums seem to continue the 4/4 meter from the bars before, while the vocals (and the rest of the band) shift to 12/8.

[@Vent69420]

I think of it as lyrics deciding to solo lol

[@rosaatomica9976]

that part always hits real hard, the offset time makes it really fun to listen to

[@devinstadler9831]

I think Ringo may have just recorded the drum track in 4/4 and the rest of the band changed the time signature over the 4/4 beat

[@coachsteve.]

Philip Glass' Mad Rush is one of my favorite 3:2 polyrhythms.

[@Tofu524]

And the metamorphosis are pretty as well. But I love playing mad rush so much.

[@cactusking]

"More progressive types of music... like classical"

[@dolan5685]

its true

[@kin3tic0n37]

Apparently you misunderstand the term "progressive"

[@dolan5685]

Kin3tic 0n3 who

[@kin3tic0n37]

@@dolan5685 not you, other guy lol

[@arnauorengoguardiola1616]

Easy Money by King Crimson has vocals on 7/4 and the rest in 4/4 during the verse, I love it!

[@akositatot]

polyrhythms aka "inspirational background music for youtube videos royalty free"

[@misterflibble6601]

Another fascinating video on the more outre aspects of music, even if I still have trouble wrapping my head around most of it

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you Red Dwarf!

[@pongop]

Mister Flibble's very cross! Oh my God I thought of that episode so many times during the COVID quarantine. Lol. "Oh we couldn't possibly do that... who would clean up the mess?" I actually re-watched the whole series during quarantine because I hadn't watched the more recent seasons and movie. Wow, such an amazing show. It's cool that it came back.

[@pongop]

@@DavidBennettPiano I love that show!

[@badventist-petite]

Rush has plenty of songs with odd times but the one that comes to mind for me for 4:3 polyrhythms specifically is "Resist" around the 3:50 mark. The song is in 3/4 but at that point, Neil Peart switches to a 4/4 drum pattern while Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson maintain the 3/4 for the rest of the track. I've always enjoyed that.

[@caedmonherodofficial]

Vital signs

[@tubebydefault]

Another great video, David, and thanks for highlighting a further example of my musical inadequacy. Keep up the good work.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

🙂🙂 thank you!

[@MarcoFHQ]

The Knife's "A Tooth For An Eye" is 3/4 - 4/4 polyrhythmic. When I'm listening at home I concentrate on the 3/4 and it's quite mellow, but when I'm at the gym I listen to the 4/4 beats and it's great for running :D

[@TheBusinessWalrus]

When you mentioned Tool, I was hoping you'd talk about the drum pattern in Eulogy. It sounds very cohesive, but it's actually a ridiculously difficult 16:3 polyrhythm, with the snare and kick playing a 4 measure long 4/4 beat, and the hi-hat playing in 3/4 with an open hat on beat 1.

[@ukkovuorela4196]

So basically 4:3

[@TheBusinessWalrus]

@@ukkovuorela4196 The pattern has a 4:3 feel, but the 4/4 rhythm is 16 beats long. So it takes 48 beats for a full cycle, where both rhythms realign again on beat 1, meaning it's actually 16:3

[@joshburns1777]

There is SO much more cool and often complex rhythmical weirdness to be analysed in so much of Tool's stuff. In I think Lateralus, in a break near the end, Danny Carey plays a continuous, repeated, rhythmic ostinato of "s-s-q, q, q, q", where 's' is a semiquaver and 'q' is a quaver, in a short, quick, 5/8 pattern. He then begins filling in on top of this with a sort of groove in 5/4. What's really cool is that this is all taking place over the top of the song's current, base time signature of 6/8 (or 4/4 - I'm honestly not sure because the feel of the rhythm changes between the two continuously - a fact which adds to the rhythmic weirdness and excitement of the piece. I think at this point the piece is actually in 6/8 with a 4/4 polymeter on top), with a repeated rhythm in 6/8 in the bass of "q, q, q, q, -, -,", where '-' is a quaver rest. What's so cool about 5/4 or 5/8 over 4/4 or 6/8 is that, whereas 3:2/2:3 and 4:3/3:4 mathematically fit very neatly over the top of one another, 5:4/4:5 and 5:6/6:5 do not, and the effect of this is that the two rhythms in the polyrhythms found at this point in Lateralus do not "sync up" anywhere near as cohesively or as frequently as in all of the examples of polyrhythm found in most popular music. Here the rhythm feels characterised by the fact that the two rhythms almost never seem both to arrive back at beat 1 at the same time, as the most popular polyrhythms do, whereas in most examples of polyrhythms they are characterised by the fact that they arrive back at beat 1 together very frequently, which prevents them from sounding rhythmically disjunct (or overly complicated) and in fact causes them to take on the impression of sounding like their own, new, distinctive, cohesive rhythmical motif, which is good but also limits how complex and interesting and divergent the rhythm can be. In The Grudge there are frequent moments where there is a sort of "rhythmic acceleration" which I've basically never heard anywhere else, in which the instruments begin playing repeated crotchets all together in unison, but then the drums peel away from this unison sound and begin playing progressively smaller note sizes, the notes decreasing in length in a mathematically logical way, going down in order of size from one note size to the next. I.e. the drums go from playing continuous crotchets to playing (this may not be 100% accurate but it is something at least very similar to this) continuous quaver triplets > quavers > semiquaver triplets > semiquavers before ending this "acceleration" by cutting out with a cymbal crash. It's an incredibly cool and unique-sounding effect that I can't recall hearing anywhere else. Jesus - sorry for the essay!

[@nuke97]

There are a few excellent drum videos on KZbin that break that section down.

[@toprak3479]

It's also somehow really groovy despite being that complex.

[@audreytrammell1994]

Aaaand this is why I watch your channel❤ this is a really nice sound rhythmically, I'm absolutely gonna try and incorporate this into a new song!! Thanks for the musical knowledge, it really does make a difference in my song writing:)

[@stevenparry83]

Hey David, I've just discovered your channel; such cool videos! After only watching 3 videos, I've already learnt a lot. Looking forward to watch more of them. Thank you and keep up the good work!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you so much! 🙂🙂

[@deanroddey2881]

I once got a vertical hemiola when I tried to move my gear rack without taking the gear out first. The last time I was this early it wasn't utterly embarrassing to post about the last time you were this early.

[@BlockDefender]

I laughed

[@charleymizon9317]

hAHAHAHAH

[@CollectedLight1]

Thank you! I am not educated in music theory and I greatly appreciate your clear descriptions. Today, specifically, you helped me understand what I've been hearing and intrigued by at the beginning of Let Down. It always gave me the feeling of being propelled forward. I felt it, and heard it, and now I better understand it.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you

[@eventideelysium]

Im still wating for the day he discovers Dream Theater time signatures...

[@adambeaudoin8818]

The "mother superior jumped the gun" part in Happiness is a Warm Gun has a hemiola in the first measure of the phrase

[@Geronimo122]

Great video. Clear, and nicely illustrated presentation of polyrhythms-- bravo!

[@daviddieffenderfer]

I love the examples you found! Some of them I’ve heard many times and never realized they used polyrhythms. Thanks David!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

David Dieffenderfer thanks David! I’m glad you enjoyed the video! 😊😊

[@guyedwards22]

A really cool example of Polymeter is in the track 'Knowledge' from the game FEZ; it starts with a bass line in 6, comes in with a phrase in 3, layers a phrase in 5 over both, and eventually has a melody in 13 come in over everything. Really really cool sounding!

[@theodorekorbos2804]

Thank you very much I'm going to really use this. Look forward to seeing more of your posts.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks! 🙂🙂

[@tyronescringeheaven1120]

Glad to hear you talk about Tool now :)

[@tyronescringeheaven1120]

@Natalie Kirk that just means he’s got good taste

[@PlanetoftheDeaf]

Great video. Massive admiration to the artists who can play such music live, it must frazzle the mind having 2 rhythms going on at the same time!

[@PeteS_1994]

The polyrhythmic stuff actually seems very normal to me. It's only when I listen to the explanation of it that it sounds confusing. I think performers probably don't think too much of the theory or if they do they must have developed good rhythm and timing, much better than the average person.

[@tylerhulbert9529]

As soon as I saw the title for this vid, I was hoping to see you shout out The National! So cool, they're my favorite band and such talented musicians. Great video!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks 😊

[@ThePCForever]

This is the best video about this topic I've ever seen. Amazing work!

[@vaporman442]

Many King Crimson songs use either poly rhythm or poly meter. I believe Captain Beefheart uses another, even more complex technique-multiple rhythms and multiple tempos simultaneously.

[@HeyCupertino]

Deliiicious explanaition, Daiivid. Fffaank you

[@DavidBennettPiano]

A F T R T H A T thank you!

[@manuel_ao]

Great video! Not sure how I missed it. I got into, I think, a polyrythm because of "Sentimental" by Porcupine Tree, and I searched for a video of yours explaining. Lovely!

[@stevenpratt6986]

Very well done, you found the right words to describe some complex ideas in the best way possible.

[@snoopyalaguerre3604]

hoping to get into musicology master this year - gonna watch this whole channel

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Snoopy à la Guerre fantastic!

[@DanManDJ]

13:41 That was a very British way of saying “toot”

[@TheJa100]

Man... I haven't seen better clear explanation of this subject like this and believe me, I saw a lot of stuff. I will follow you, man. Thank you!

[@Ramshackled17]

Best video I've seen on the subject . Thank you!

[@freakazoid4691]

Love your videos. You're a very good teacher. Keep up the good work!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you! 😊

[@mitchsegura8245]

1:42 I saw them live and he tried it and the audience messed it up so bad

[@DreIsGoneFission]

Clicked on this video on the whim. Didn’t know you were gonna open with one of my favorite songs. Bravo

[@JorgePreza-Bass-Piano]

Hello David, I enjoyed watching this video you prepared so carefully. Although I reviewed the subject while in juilliard back in the early 80's, you not only made me recall those days but explained the whole thing quite well that I think I can in Time try to express it like so. I will try to remember the difference between polymeters and polyrhythms, once again, thank you. Cheers

[@maestroscuro]

Great job on this channel. Keep it up! 👏👏👏

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Francesco Fusco 🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@TheRealGirlWeeb]

very useful ... I love your videos and they really make my future music stuff sound better. Thanks a lot for doing this!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you!

[@MarkArturo]

Loved this, thank you. Had to study polyrhythms for tap dancing at a workshop last summer.

[@martincattell6820]

You reminded me how beautiful "Let Down" is and why. It reminds me of conversations I never had with my mum who died in 2018.

[@lra1095]

The Spongebob Squarepants theme song has a 3/4th melody and a 4/4 drum track.

[@milecombo4875]

Is this common in Scottish /Gaelic music? Spongebob Tune Sounds like in that genre..

[@abrahamvillarreal4004]

@@milecombo4875 I think it is

[@amtlpaul]

Part of the melody (the bit that goes "who lives in a pineapple under the sea?") is sung in rapid triplets, but the chant of "SpongeBob SquarePants" is in 4/4.

[@Wind-nj5xz]

Mandatory Suicide by Slayer has a riff that does that

[@petethefreak40]

I don’t hear it, just sounds like 4/4 with triplets, or 12/8

[@ElizondoAbelardo]

As always, great video! Honestly, I didn't even know that Polyrhythms and Polymeter were different concepts. About songs that feature them though, I am pretty sure that King Crimson has used them extensively. In particular, you should check the songs Discipline and The Construktion Of Light.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Abelardo Elizondo 🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@shlarpy]

So happy you picked Fake Empire for the 4/3 polyrhythm example, it's my go-to song to explain the concept

[@benoitdelisle9049]

You helped me a lot with this video because I am starting to read sheet music and I needed this to understand a little bit more polyrythm!

[@luisma1972]

Interesting enough, I though that polyrhythm and polymeter where the same. I have used both a lot, thanks for making it easier to understad.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Common misconception! 😊 thanks for watching!

[@theivory1]

If have never heard Perpetual Change by Yes go listen. The bridge is one of the best poly meters I have ever heard. Somehow, Bruford plays the accents for both meters at the same time.

[@LordZouzounas]

Well said, Mr! In the "Light my fire" example the polyrhythm could, as well, be taken as 3:4 if we consider our unit to be the minim. It is all a matter of subdividing our pulse, which in this case, suggests a sum of a crochet and 2 quavers. Keep up being that informative, man! Good job! 👍

[@IommicDisciple]

You’re video are awesome! You explain things so well and make everything easy to understand.

[@GI_Jimbo]

"Little Secrets" by Passion Pit has some insane polyrhythms going on in it, I've always wanted to see that broken down by someone smarter than myself.

[@annagrossi1873]

I absolutely cannot play an instrument no matter how hard I try, but i always LOVE watching these videos!!! Just fascinating and easy to understand at any level :)

[@frash22]

David that was really great, thank you!

[@Luetzsab]

I have no idea about majors, minors, rhythm, meter, notes etc. But I binge watched your videos for two days now. 😅

[@extremesbrauz]

"What happens now?" by Porcupine Tree.

[@toprak3479]

This is a good one. 3 over 5 over 7

[@gaia38ant]

just a little polymeter indeed ahah

[@SquishypuffDave]

This is a God-tier example. They don't just spin their wheels either, the way it resolves into 3/4 at the end is some really intelligent composition. The second half of Mellotron Scratch is also a real earworm of a polymeter.

[@wolframreactor74]

Porcupine Tree Halo has a 17/16