DRUMMER CAFE

Trying to develop phrasing around the 4 over 3 polyrhythm.

Is it possible to use page 37 (Syncopation book) to develope 4 over 3 polyrhythms?

I advise??

Thanks!!!

Thanks for your advice Hummertown. I was actually 
thinking to play four on the bass drum and triplets
with my hands. I was just wondering if it was a very
popular exercise. 

What else do you use to develope phrasing over the 4-3  ?

Thanks!!

All notated expressions, both figurative and literal.

I think of polyrhythms in terms of how people hear what I play, not just what I know is technically correct. This becomes important in terms of cultural context.



I suggest in an American context playing Latin rhythms, the bass player is most likely thinking in terms of example 1. If you attempt to play a figure of 4 over the expression of threes in example 2, your bass player will hate you. The repeated figures are both equal to half notes and they are both grouped in threes, but a Brazilian would definitely know the difference. So would a Cuban. So I try to learn them both, even though the average (American) ear in the audience would not neccesarily be able to distinguish the two phrases.

I say learn both and learn what appropriate for the music that you're playing!!!