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Polyrhythm Metronome & Generator

Free online polyrhythm generator and polyrhythm metronome. Visually and audibly practice complex dual rhythms like 3 over 4, 4 over 5, and hemiolas. The best way to play polyrhythms online.

Interactive Dual Rhythm Tool

120 BPM
Custom::
Rhythm ARhythm B
3 over 41 cycle = 12 subdivisions

Need to find the BPM of a song first? Use our Free Tap Tempo Calculator to tap it out.

What Is a Polyrhythm?

A polyrhythm is the simultaneous use of two or more conflicting rhythmic patterns that don't naturally align. Unlike a simple time signature change, polyrhythms layer two distinct meters on top of each other, creating tension, complexity, and forward motion.

The most common polyrhythm example is 3 over 4 — three evenly spaced beats played in the same time as four evenly spaced beats. While rhythm A divides the measure into thirds, rhythm B divides it into quarters. The result is a rolling, syncopated feel that's foundational to jazz, Afro-Cuban music, West African drumming, and progressive rock.

3:4 Polyrhythm = 3 notes in the time of 4

Both rhythms share the same downbeat, then diverge before reconnecting

How to Play 3 over 4

Playing 3 over 4 polyrhythm is easier than it sounds. Here's a step-by-step method:

  • 1Start with 4/4: Tap a steady 1-2-3-4 pulse with your right hand. This is the "bottom" rhythm.
  • 2Add 3 with your left: While keeping the 4 steady, tap 3 evenly spaced beats with your left hand over the same time span.
  • 3Find the unison: Both hands will land together on beat 1. That's your anchor point — the cycle repeats every 12 subdivisions.
  • 4Practice slowly: Start at 60 BPM and gradually increase. The mnemonic "Not difficult" (3 syllables over 4) helps internalize the feel.

Common Polyrhythms in Music

Different genres and traditions favor different polyrhythm patterns. Here are the most widely used:

RatioDescriptionCommon In
3:43 against 4 — the classic polyrhythmJazz, Afro-Cuban, West African drumming
2:32 against 3 — simplest polyrhythm (hemiola)Flamenco, Brazilian samba, 6/8 time
4:54 against 5 — five-beat feel over fourProgressive rock, Steve Reich compositions
5:65 against 6 — complex cross-rhythmSouth Indian Carnatic music, modern jazz
3:53 against 5 — odd grouping tensionAvant-garde, electronic music
7:87 against 8 — dense cross-pulseBalkan folk, math rock, fusion

Polyrhythm vs Hemiola vs Cross-Rhythm

Polyrhythm

Two independent rhythms played simultaneously, each maintaining its own pulse. Both patterns continue without interruption — they just happen to have different subdivisions. The listener perceives two separate layers of rhythm at once.

Hemiola

A rhythmic shift where the feel changes from 3 to 2 (or vice versa) within the same meter. Common in 3/4 time where two measures of 3 become three measures of 2. It's a temporary displacement, not two simultaneous rhythms.

Cross-Rhythm

A broader term for any conflicting rhythmic pattern played against a prevailing pulse. Cross-rhythm is the umbrella — polyrhythm and hemiola are specific types. In practice, musicians often use these terms interchangeably.

Polyrhythms Across Musical Genres

West African Drumming

The foundation of polyrhythm. Ewe, Yoruba, and Mandinka drumming traditions layer 3 against 2 and 4 simultaneously. The bell pattern (often a 12/8 timeline) serves as the reference grid that all other parts relate to. This is where the concept originated — centuries before European composers adopted it.

Jazz

Jazz drummers use polyrhythm constantly. A classic swing pattern places the ride cymbal in 3 while the hi-hat snaps on beats 2 and 4. Advanced players layer 3 over 4 in their soloing, creating tension that resolves on the downbeat. John Coltrane's "sheets of sound" explored extreme polyrhythmic density.

Latin & Afro-Cuban

The clave rhythm is a 3-2 or 2-3 cross-rhythm that underpins all of salsa, son, and rumba. The cascara pattern on the shells and the bongo bell create polyrhythmic layers. Cuban danzón and rumba are built on 3 against 2 feels that drive the dance.

Progressive Rock & Metal

Bands like Rush, Tool, Meshuggah, and Haken use polyrhythm as a compositional tool. Meshuggah's signature sound layers 4/4 drum patterns against odd-meter guitar riffs (7/8, 5/4), creating cycles that only align every few bars. This "djent" style is polyrhythm pushed to extremes.

South Indian Carnatic Music

The most mathematically sophisticated polyrhythm tradition. Konnakol (vocal percussion) uses syllables to articulate ratios like 5:7, 7:11, and beyond. Mridangam players execute korvais (rhythmic cadences) that resolve polyrhythmic phrases with precision down to the microsecond.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you play 3 over 4 polyrhythm?

Tap 4 steady beats with one hand while tapping 3 evenly spaced beats with the other. Both hands land together on beat 1, then diverge before meeting again. Start at 60 BPM, and use the mnemonic "Not dif-fi-cult" (4 syllables) against "Pass the gold-en but-ter" (3 syllables) to feel the pattern.

What is a polyrhythm calculator?

A polyrhythm calculator or polyrhythm generator is a tool that visually and audibly shows how two different rhythmic ratios align. It displays where each beat falls relative to the other, helping musicians internalize complex rhythms. Our tool above lets you select presets or input custom ratios.

What's the difference between a polyrhythm and a polymeter?

In a polyrhythm, both rhythms fit within the same time span (e.g., 3 notes and 4 notes both fit in one measure). In a polymeter, both rhythms use the same subdivision (e.g., eighth notes) but have different time signatures (e.g., 4/4 against 3/4). Polyrhythms create ratio-based tension; polymeters create measure-based phase shifts.

How do I practice polyrhythms?

Start with the simplest polyrhythm: 3 against 2. Tap 2 beats with one hand and 3 with the other, both starting on beat 1. Once comfortable, try 3:4, then 4:5. Use a metronome or our polyrhythm metronome above to stay locked. Practice at 60 BPM minimum, and don't increase speed until the pattern feels automatic.

What musicians are known for using polyrhythm?

Max Roach pioneered jazz polyrhythm on drums. Steve Reich built entire compositions around phasing polyrhythms ("Drumming", "Music for 18 Musicians"). Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, and Carter Beauford are modern masters. In rock, Neil Peart (Rush) and Danny Carey (Tool) frequently use complex polyrhythmic patterns. In African music, Babatunde Olatunji and Youssou N'Dour showcase traditional polyrhythmic drumming.

Can I play polyrhythms on a drum kit?

Absolutely. A drum kit is ideal for polyrhythm — your four limbs are four independent voices. Common patterns: ride cymbal in 3 while the snare and hi-hat play 2; kick drum in 4 against tom pattern in 3. Start by singing the polyrhythm, then assign each voice to a different limb. Our polyrhythm generator above can guide you through each layer visually and audibly.