Writing Complex Prog / Djent Rhythms that GROOVE- Truncated Polymeters [RHYTHM - WRITING]

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A common trick of djent metal and prog bands is to play polymeters over 4/4 but truncate them. This results in grooving riffs that are easy to headbang too but also include layers of rhythmic complexity due to the odd time signatures inside.
In this video I get some help from a drummer to craft a section of music that is all based around a simple 5/16 : 4/4 polymeter, adding in and removing layers of rhythm to create different sounds.
Hear the full section at 09:36
Beardstank: • Joff pley drom +soloish
I love writing with rhythm. Music is two parts- when, and what. Working with rhythm means you solved the "when" part, then it's an easy task to apply your melodic and harmonic knowledge to the rhythmic DNA of your new piece or song. Hope this video gets that point across!
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Marek Pawlowski
John Arnold
Christopher Swanson
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Bradley Bower
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www.signalsmusicstudio.com
Table of Contents:
00:00 Intro
01:16 Truncated Polymeter Example
03:14 Writing With Truncated Polymeters
04:35 Drummer Insights
06:58 Adding More Polymeters
08:19 Final Touches
09:36 Finished Product
11:22 Wrapping Up

[@montlejohnbojangles8937]

Seriously though Jake, this is the best music lesson channel on KZbin. You're an excellent educator. ✌🏼

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

Thanks mang =]

[@19universe81]

Totally agree!

[@pjshiell9410]

I agree... saying this in some weird time signature. Great video.

[@tobbebergman7583]

+1

[@dnafarmboy8338]

@@tobbebergman7583 Hiv+3

[@LydianMelody]

Get your calculators fam. It’s time for some metal.

[@ppang]

but 'm already asian.

[@thathandleistakentrythisone]

@@ppang metal math is for white ppl

[@Trinibutterfly]

@@ppang Then metal is already within your heart. Be one with the polyrhythmic metal, young calculator.

[@nuke97]

Lydian Melody lol

[@S4V0LAEN3N]

@@thathandleistakentrythisone Mnjää, roots reggae is!

[@MrMetalhorse]

Nice new guitar. I see you're teaching the ways of the Djedi.

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

You can blame my younger students for corrupting me. I was happy with 6 strings but then they showed me the silliness of the djentstick, it's a riot!

[@proximityclockworkx1572]

@@SignalsMusicStudio Wait until you get to play an 8 string. Its like a whole new instrument(djentstrument lul), and you cannot think of it like a 6 string with 2 more string like you can with a 7 string (6+1). :) Get your 0s going :D :D

[@skyleranderson1984]

@@proximityclockworkx1572 jake using an 8 string would be fun to see

[@aaronmyers6686]

I just love how as long as the notes in each instrument complement each other harmonically, you can rhythmically get away with murder and still have the notes sound good.

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

it's true!

[@kjl3080]

You can also play only Tritones or minor seconds, but as long the rhythm is completely stable it will still sound good.

[@Rikarwb]

I like my coffee with extra 'shuggah.

[@calvinlee2377]

How to Djent: Only play open, first, second, or third frets. Must be on a 20 string guitar and in drop Q tuning

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

I've had my 7 string for 3 weeks now and have had zero use for the strings 1-5 or frets over 6

[@calvinlee2377]

Signals Music Studio hahaha

[@StuntDill]

@@SignalsMusicStudio lmao, in all seriousness though check out vitalism and make a video on how one would ever even begin creating music like that cause i have nooooo idea and you have theoritecial knowledge

[@jarlfenrir]

In Poland we say "dropped Ź" ;) It's even lower than simple Z.

[@dnafarmboy8338]

Drop Qtπ FlecktןooN ;)

[@notoriouswhitemoth]

I like how all the different rhythms seem to pull against each other, like a serrated edge tearing through wood little by little. I don't know why it specifically suggests a saw to me, but it does. It just has sort of a _serrated_ feel to it for me

[@Surokkh]

This channel is such a gold mine! Jake, you are a fantastic teacher. I don't think I've seen such complex topics explained so well in other places, and in such a short period of time.

[@trebmaster]

Beardstank is the best name on KZbin, hands down.

[@Xbrush]

Once you got to reinforcing the 4 I realized I had been holding my breath.

[@deepsolar169]

Can you do a video explaining how to use atonal ideas in prog? Maybe different scales, like whole tone, half whole, inert other scale here. I want to get into atonal music and such and it would be a major help.

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

It will happen eventually, probably starting with Whole Tone and Augmented. I have to get some more of the "fundamental" videos done first but i keep getting distracted with fun stuff like this :P

[@deepsolar169]

I honestly didn't expect you to respond to that lol. Thanks! I'm looking forward to it!

[@educostanzo]

I'll be desperately waiting for whole tone and half-whole lessons too. I definitely love weird crazy scales!

[@deepsolar169]

@educostanzo I do too, but the weirdest I've ever written with is lydian b6 lol. I need more scales in my arsenal lol

[@renzo3939]

"major" help. haha

[@GogiRegion]

This makes a bunch of sense now. A lot of djent I see is labeled as 4/4, but doesn’t feel or look like 4/4, but it usually has some kind of guitar/bass/kick drum beat with a weird rhythm and an aggressive snare and cymbals following 4/4 a bit more. I now understand why that is. Thank you. I’ve been trying to learn djenty prog metal recently, and this made a lot of stuff suddenly click.

[@danpreston564]

On the Digitakt, the Elektron groovebox I use for my live music, you can set any track to any number of steps, up to 64 and set a master reset, where everything resets to 1. This creates truncated polymeter and I didn’t even realise that.

[@educostanzo]

7 string guitar - check muted chugging notes - check odd times against 4/4 beat - check Yep, this definitely djents! Jokes aside, amazing lesson, you guys make it seem so easy!!

[@Fsilvacanada]

You guys are crazy! The drummer jumps from one signature to another so easily! Great job!

[@roachie5311]

One idea that i experimented with was grouping 4/4 into 3+3+3+3+2+2. I got the idea from rick beato's counting of a plini song in 13/8 (3+3+3+2+2)

[@TheCoolSquare]

It's a very common rhythmic idea that you hear in lots of places. That doesn't mean it's bad though, it's one of my favorites.

[@ChessCat1500]

Oh yeah yeah

[@aidan7195]

Panic Attack by Dream Theater

[@toprak3479]

3+3+3+3+2+2 is just pop actually

[@Bebopopotamus]

Watch Adam Neely's 4:3 polyrhythm video all about that rhythm.

[@willeforsstrom1277]

Love these Djent videos. Keep em coming.

[@TomekStefanowicz]

I love when you're counting❤️❤️❤️ it's so smooth

[@mdmccat]

This might be the coolest thing I've seen on your channel and THAT is saying a lot. Love the song you've come up with.

[@Yusufmasron]

I can never get tired of watching this Jake. Thanks

[@davehall8584]

LOVE this...these polymeters are so exciting....that last idea..freaking BRILLIANT!

[@thesea4120]

I love your videos they're so informative and helpful understanding music theory and being able to apply them

[@Jackandy2112]

Dude! I have learned more from your channel than I have from anywhere else online. It's amazing. Thank you!

[@waynewhite6930]

That concept is great!

[@brunoalves3958]

OMG That’s pure gold. I love you man!

[@Mephistolomaniac]

as i slowly learn more about music, it's a real joy to revisit some of these older videos and pick up new ideas and inspiration from them. I think this might genuinely be the best music theory channel on youtube. Every video gets the creative juices flowing

[@Sean-Ax]

I love the examples you compose for these lessons; this one's probably one of my favorites!

[@HansRickheit]

An excellent teacher explaining (for some of us) difficult concepts in terms I can understand. Thank you!

[@Morum01]

Really love your work man! I can't stop watching your videos over and over again!

[@pjokermariano]

Incredible, dude! Glad to find that stuff..! Thank you very much!

[@FrumpyPumpkin]

I can already tell this is going to be awesome

[@hectatusbreakfastus6106]

Awesome video on this. It sounded great too!

[@z44k5]

This whole video is such a sick burn. good job sir.

[@danielolufsen1501]

You're an amazing songwriter and teacher! My favorite videos of yours is your song Generations, Diminished 7th chords portals and this one! Keep them coming!

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

Thanks! I do love the last solo in Generations

[@Terrarixum]

Fantastic video Jake!

[@amazingthingsfromaroundthe2057]

That came out fantastic to be so simple!

[@pjshiell9410]

So good. You should have at least half the population of this planet subscribed to this channel for the sheer effort you put into making these vids. Moreover, your skills at teaching are commendable.

[@liquidsolids9415]

Great stuff. Thanks for another fantastic lesson!

[@robertbennett3893]

Beautiful! Keep the polymeters, polyrhythms and hemelios coming!

[@dacvader2]

The intro sounds wicked good! Killer tone both for lead and rhythm, excellent audio quality for everything else, and well written. Very nice bro!

[@ezcomeezgo9215]

THIS is the pinnacle of music. It´s everything. It´s mighty it´s sophisticated. It´s pure madness. I love it! Thank you for giving me some insight

[@DragonFlopp]

The song is really cool. Very nice work. So many of your videos have found their way onto my favorites list!

[@stjacquesremi]

I really loved this! I find this inspiring. I usually compose classical music and I've been trying writing pop, but rythm complexity is just so fun to hear.

[@hans-peterjoachim7489]

The way the song starts with this fading synth note is so cool. The song is so damn heavy i feel it so hard daaamn...

[@MrGrantbruce]

Absolutely Masterful - I love this - so interesting - please keep your videos coming - thanks man.

[@AXPena]

Great work Jake! The track sounded awesome too. Love the input from Beardstank Man. Hope to see more of him. Maybe more enchiladas too.

[@Gusrikh1]

Very well done. Very interesting and educational!

[@awake2xenator]

really awesome man... love this song

[@charlesbhatara7020]

Brief and clear explanation...thats a very helpful teaching method...thank u very much

[@user-pp9gr1tn5n]

Oooh my god this is just so beautiful!!🥰

[@justdontgiveafukk]

Brilliant video thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@DoveSimon]

Awesome groove and lesson as usual! This idea could easily be an excellent full blown song with some good lyrics. You really are an outstanding teacher and musician. Beardstank, the 4/4 plow, was killing it too - great drum fill towards the end, right before the outro melody. It really added a lot of depth.

[@HansK_777]

Dude, awesome video again:) a lot of inspiration and new ideas. This is really one of the best music educational channel on youtube. Love the composition btw. Keep up the good work:)

[@robanderson4137]

I'll give it a like...because you use a $30 amazon disco ball...major props dude.

[@TonyByte]

Love this topic. Going to experiment in several different genres within my DAW.

[@mahnobaga]

I find this chanel AND I LOVE IT, my english isnt good enough, but your videos explane better than my music teachers that i had in all my life. You are doing greate job. Thank you very much.

[@ManupereiraONbass]

Thanks for spent your time with This amazing ideas. Keep on Rocking.

[@musicmangm7572]

I really enjoy the way you teach. Thank you!!

[@jacob.gamble]

Thank you for what you do.

[@mybiggrin]

I love you. You made this very understandable.

[@itai.617]

This is pretty much the most helpful lesson I ever got on youtube

[@dragonwilliams1062]

Cool stuff, thanks for explaning how you guys did it and it's a good place to start with 🤘🤘🤘

[@robertglowinski5617]

Dude. That was so cool to watch the process. Great sound

[@Znernicus]

I'm really loving the coverage and clear explanation of progressive rock ideas!

[@nightwishlover8913]

Great Lesson! I'm beginning to see how then Djentists do it now, but it still doesn't make it easy to count it!.Mad props to Jeff for actually playing all those rhythms together!

[@moo3992]

Great stuff!

[@connoragnewmusic]

That sounded so great

[@Ehrmann_Gregsson]

Wow. Awesome!

[@frankiesunswept]

So rad homie, I always come back to your channel for songwriting inspiration :)

[@MrPisster]

This is so cool. As a computer music producer I live in 4/4 but I also love odd time. Thank you for helping me expand my palate!

[@clandestinekits]

Excellent video

[@martinleithe7167]

I feel this is what people does. but have no idea what they are doing. it just sounds nice. You can describe exactly what you are doing from a top level theoretical standpoint. Why it works and what you can add to or subtract to it. This is so informative and awesome content! Thank you Jake!

[@BurntMcgurnt]

Loved it man. Killed it !

[@jameshorton7651]

Thanks brother inspiring 🙏

[@SendyTheEndless]

That was an excellent exercise in shared creativity. You packed so much insight into this video! And the track was fun as heck :)

[@aajthomas]

Awesome!

[@7177YT]

wow, so awesome thx!

[@sharpphilip]

Thank you for doing what you do.

[@vectoreq_dnb]

this is really an excellent video, thanks a lot :)

[@PunDitFromHell]

Great video man.

[@arilotringer]

Very cool man! Nice simple complex ideas hehe!

[@charlyfreedomdammit]

Great stuff!!!...Thanks.

[@shredvenom]

This is one of the tutorial videos that unlocks secret doors to music and how to write Rocking tunes or even just have cool jams with your friends!!! Thanks Jake!!!

[@procrast]

amazing stuph thank you bro

[@desolatesoul2304]

SO COOL!

[@Deuterium52]

such a dope song!

[@Narsufin]

I love your videos, but dude I REALLY LOVED this video. You have some cool friends too. That drummer is mustard.

[@TheBudhead75]

I loved this video

[@openedmind3704]

ive never wondered that much about rythm but with your recents videos im definitely in! :)

[@zarith]

Im so glad i found this video, ive been doing this without knowing

[@DougDeJong]

Really Like your Style !

[@freeelectron8261]

Sounds great! I love interesting time shifts.

[@shauntiggelman9341]

amzing vid man and a great tune . we used this concept alot in hignsight in my old band . i didnt quite geth the theory on all of this back then. so thanks for the info regarding on all of this

[@philipshergold4771]

Amazing! Both of you are very educated and creative musicians. More videos on the application of time signatures please 😍

[@billyshakespeare1696]

That dude is petty awesome drummer. He makes it look effortless!

[@StaffordsStudio]

Nice great video thanks for sharing very good info

[@anthonydahl5454]

Really great content! Thanks! Djenty stuff is so good man!

[@MehrdadEmadi]

👌🏻👌🏻great content!

[@jamesiandavis9352]

Please do more of this!