Clarification: Difference Between Polyrhythms and Polymeters

I made a boo boo. In my Polyrhythms series, some of the examples I demonstrate are actually Polymeters and not technically called Polyrhythms. In this video I explain the difference between the two so that you can proceed with the Polyrhythm series with that in mind. The purpose of the series is to help you with your rhythmic foundation and mix different groupings of rhythms together. It is very successful at meeting that educational goal, so I am still proud of the series and recommend checking it out. I hope this clarification makes sense, please let me know if you have any questions!

[dayf]

It takes a big man to admit when he is wrong... on the internet.

[kumarramesh]

What a honest musician. Super.. Deep respect. Proud of such true musicians who help others .

[daviddemarais]

I've heard this issue described and demonstrated many times. Your explanation was simple and clear, therefore it was easy to understand, (which SHOULD be the goal when teaching). Nicely done.

[RoTShift]

Not everybody's willing to admit when they're wrong, i have a lot of respect for that. I also appreciate how well you explained the difference, as it can be hard to do clearly. Well done!

[justincider]

Thanks, this was a really helpful clarification for me. Learning a lot from your videos over here, love your style of teaching, keep up the good work, Doc!

[paulrobertson]

Instant subscribe, even having not seen your series yet. Somewhere in my brain this knowledge existed, but I mixed up the terms all the time. You broke it down in a concise and easy way for my brain to make the connections needed to retain the difference. And you were humble and honest about your mistake and corrected it, which bleeds integrity. Mad respect. Gonna go watch your instructional series now.

[morganlak]

Ok wow this makes so much more sense, Ben continues to be my favorite musician on youtube

[conradpienaar]

This is a wonderfully lucid explanation. You understand deeply and its refreshing to have such an honest delivery. Thank you sir.

[celestialmonkey]

I know so many musicians who mix these two concepts up. Thanks for the quick informative video

[Milehighshred]

I appreciate you making this. I've had someone ask me to do a polyrhythm lesson, and I've been researching this to make sure I get things right.

Now, after reading a few "expert" youtube comments I know someone would say that your example of a polyrhythm was still a polymeter. It makes sense to me that your description of a polyrhythm is indeed a polyrhythm. I agree with you! I'm trying to figure out if I'm still missing something, or if these youtube "experts" are actually the ones goofing it.

[alienhearts]

That… was… really cool! Well explained. Thanks man.

[thebrad]

2:31 Anyone who asks me what it's like playing drums, I should just show them this.

[AmandaKaymusic]

Fun to hear you counting against yourself (and with yourself) with the three and four polymeter. A great explanation about a clarity of classifications I have never thought about before. I've always said polyrhythm for either way of looking at it. Now I know which is which.

[ThatBeTheQuestion]

2:31 And here we have the perfect explanation of Meshuggah.

[AlessandroZir]

very clear and well explained! I found other people confounding the two notions on theirs videos as well, and I believe you explanation is useful for all; but perhaps you could give some basic clues on their use in relation to specific kinds of music like classic, jazz, etc.

[chancellorpercussion]

This was super easy to understand and was explained beautifully.

[TubularHaze]

Thanks so much for posting this clarification (based on a good bit of searching around, I was *fairly* sure that the distinction must be as you've explained so clearly here - but still not 100% certain until I saw this)

[tuttu]

Thank you for that! Sure cleared up the mess in my head.

[billsqwq]

thank you, you just basically saved my ass during music class.

[Ghandjaloodah]

Bro, thanks for this. Really cleared this up for me.😆 You're awesome.