Polyrhythm facts for kids

Polyrhythm: Triplets over duplets in all four beats

Polyrhythm happens when two different rhythms are played at the same time in music. African, Latin, and Afro-Cuban music often use polyrhythms. Polyrythm is another word for layering and adding volumes to the piece of music. It happens when one person starts playing a rhythm and then other people start joining in, adding dynamics to it. It happens in Africa during festivals and occasions along with a call and response style of playing.

Images for kids

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  Mozart, Don Giovanni dances from act 1, scene 5

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  Brahms Violin Sonata in G, 1, bars 235ff

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  Debussy, "The Snow Is Dancing", bars 34–38

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  Beethoven Scherzo from Op. 18, No. 6, violin and cello only

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  Hugh Tracey Treble Kalimba

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  Signature Series Gravikord