Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The use or an instance of simultaneous contrasting rhythms.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun music Multiple rhythmic elements being performed simultaneously.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

poly- +‎ rhythm

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Examples

  • The only polyrhythm is when the kid banging the tambourine loses the beat.

    EVENING’S EMPIRE BILL FLANAGAN 2010

  • The only polyrhythm is when the kid banging the tambourine loses the beat.

    EVENING’S EMPIRE BILL FLANAGAN 2010

  • The only polyrhythm is when the kid banging the tambourine loses the beat.

    EVENING’S EMPIRE BILL FLANAGAN 2010

  • It does; and now two drummers join in, they weave a polyrhythm that brings in one guitar and some pops from a banjo, oh this groove is young but it's growing, and people are starting to move.

    Archive 2007-10-01 Bruce Schauble 2007

  • It does; and now two drummers join in, they weave a polyrhythm that brings in one guitar and some pops from a banjo, oh this groove is young but it's growing, and people are starting to move.

    Spaceman Blues Bruce Schauble 2007

  • I like the way this song unfolds, starting with a squeaky rhythm, adding layers of synths to the mix, then around the 1: 10 mark a great polyrhythm thing starts up and rolls its way through the rest of the song.

    Heavenly synths (Music (For Robots)) 2005

  • Han Bennink alternate is this insane Dutch percussionist who is perfectly willing to use one heel as a mute on the top of a trap drum while he maintains a fast polyrhythm on the entire kit.

    Prima Facie Evil& Bennink/Chadbourne@Templeball, All Astronauts/Glissade/dälek@Local 506 badger 2005

  • Forsberg has produced 11 fine tracks, which share an attention to memorable moments but otherwise vary widely, from heavy percussive polyrhythm to spacious drone to quiet song.

    Disquiet » Wide-Ranging Denmark Debut 2003

  • My favorite polyrhythm story was one I heard from Philip Glass 1 when he was speaking after a performance on the Monsters of Grace tour.

    time signatures badger 2002

  • Dance of the Hunter's Fire demonstrates the basic African polyrhythm, four beats against six beats.

    Dance of the Hunter's Fire 1991

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