Math assignment... Polyrhythms

[Matt Till]

My math class is stupid. We all have to give a presentation on applying math to real life. So, it's been presentations about the metric system, doing taxes, how likely an answer will come up on a magic 8 ball, and I've chose polyrhythms.

I have to talk for 4-5 minutes, that general area. Plus, I can play audio examples. Other than using time signatures as "fractions"... what should I talk about?

Also, what are some really simple/popular examples of polyrhythms that I could play for a class? Something somewhat repetative perhaps?

[velvetkevorkian]

Led Zeppelin- "Kashmir" is always good for that sort of thing.

[Thunderbird91]

Originally Posted by Matt Till

math class is stupid.

[anonymous278347457]

talk about funk, or some sort of african drumming.

OR you could scrap polyrhythms and do it on something about pitches of notes and wavelengths, that might be more physics though

[d8g3jdh]

I don't know what polyrhythms are, but they sound like a complicated time signature or something. Maybe some rush?

[Matt Till]

But I was wondering about some clear cut examples, where I could play a Rush song and count the different parts...

Luckily, I am in world music right now, so there will be a bit about African drumming.

[velvetkevorkian]

http://www.vai.com/LittleBlackDots/tempomental.html
Steve Vai has the answers.

[canopener]

I thought polyrhythms were two different time sigs played at the same time.

[Petary791]

All I have to say is play "Thela Hun Ginjeet" by King Crimson.

[geoffkhan]

Part of what gives life to polyrhythms in my opinion, is not necessarily starting out both rhythms at the same time. In other words, try starting the other rhythm a quarter or eighth note later. Just a little tip.

Sounds like a really good topic for a presentation!! Have fun with it, I wish I could do a presentation on that.

[Benjamin Strange]

You could try this:

http://www.benjaminstrange.net/music/UB313.mp3

It's still in major early demo format/sound quality, but it's a fairly easy to illustrate use of polyrhythms. The guitar parts are in 4/4 and 5/4 respectively, using simple repeating patterns. I could break it down for you isolating each guitar part if you like.

[geoffkhan]

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

You could try this:

http://www.benjaminstrange.net/music/UB313.mp3

It's still in major early demo format/sound quality, but it's a fairly easy to illustrate use of polyrhythms. The guitar parts are in 4/4 and 5/4 respectively, using simple repeating patterns. I could break it down for you isolating each guitar part if you like.

Very hip! The guitars are pretty separated in the panning, so if you just solo the left or right channel it's easier to see what you're doing polyrhythm-wise.

Great tune!

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[quote=Matt Till]My math class is stupid. We all have to give a presentation on applying math to real life. So, it's been presentations about the metric system, doing taxes, how likely an answer will come up on a magic 8 ball, and I've chose polyrhythms.

I have to talk for 4-5 minutes, that general area. Plus, I can play audio examples. Other than using time signatures as "fractions"... what should I talk about?

[quote=Matt Till]


I had the same project for AP Trig, and did it on the same thing.

I played portions of Athiest's Unquestionable Presence album and explained the time signatures and what not. I also played a compostion of my own on my Les Paul, it was basically the same riff variated in different time sigs with the occasionally speed metal lick to make my classmates think I was really good.

It was our first semester exam and I made an A
Good Luck

[baba]

Originally Posted by Matt Till

But I was wondering about some clear cut examples, where I could play a Rush song and count the different parts...

Luckily, I am in world music right now, so there will be a bit about African drumming.

Thrak by KC is a good and clear example.

[stedtale]

here's an interesting site that might give you some ideas:

http://www.polyrhythms.com/

[Matt Till]

Thanks for the help everyone