• 🥁 Polyrhythm Visualizer

    See and hear how two rhythms fit together. Choose a polyrhythm such as 3:2, 4:3, or 5:4, adjust the tempo, and watch each pulse move through the rhythmic cycle.
    Number of evenly spaced pulses.
    Number of pulses across the same cycle.
    Controls the speed of the visualizer.
    45%
    3:2 POLYRHYTHM
    Rhythm A — Outer Ring
    Rhythm B — Inner Ring
    Rhythm A 3 pulses
    Rhythm B 2 pulses
    Subdivisions 6
    Shared Start Beat 1
    3 pulses are played against 2 pulses over the same rhythmic cycle.
    How does the Polyrhythm Visualizer work?

    A polyrhythm occurs when two different rhythmic divisions are performed over the same amount of time. For example, a 3:2 polyrhythm places three evenly spaced pulses against two evenly spaced pulses.

    The outer ring represents Rhythm A and the inner ring represents Rhythm B. Each dot shows where a pulse occurs during one complete rhythmic cycle. When playback begins, the dots light up as each rhythm reaches its next pulse.

    Both rhythms begin together at the start of the cycle and then divide the same span of time differently before meeting again when the cycle repeats.
    Tip: Start with a 3:2 polyrhythm at a slow tempo. Listen to each rhythm separately first, then turn both sounds on. Try tapping one rhythm with one hand while speaking or tapping the other rhythm with the opposite hand. Increase the tempo only after the relationship between the two patterns starts to feel natural.

  • A Polyrhythm Visualizer helps you see and hear how two different rhythmic patterns fit together over the same amount of time. It can be useful for drummers, percussionists, producers, musicians, composers, singers, music students, and anyone practicing rhythm and timing.

    Choose two numbers to create a rhythmic ratio such as 3:2, 4:3, 5:4, 5:3, or 7:4. The first number represents the number of evenly spaced pulses in Rhythm A, while the second represents the number of evenly spaced pulses in Rhythm B.

    For example, a 3:2 polyrhythm places three evenly spaced beats against two evenly spaced beats during the same rhythmic cycle. Both patterns begin together, move at different rhythmic intervals, and meet again when the cycle repeats.

    The circular display makes this relationship easier to see. Rhythm A appears on the outer ring, while Rhythm B appears on the inner ring. Each dot represents one pulse. When the visualizer is playing, the dots light up as each rhythmic pattern reaches its next beat.

    You can also listen to both rhythms at the same time. Each pattern uses a different click pitch so that you can more easily distinguish one rhythm from the other. Turn either rhythm off to hear one pattern by itself before combining them again.

    The Shared Beat Accent emphasizes the point where the rhythmic patterns begin together. Listening for this common starting point can make complex polyrhythms easier to understand because it gives your ear a clear reference for the beginning of each cycle.

    Use the tempo control to slow difficult patterns down while practicing. Starting slowly can make it easier to understand where each pulse belongs before increasing the speed.

    Polyrhythms appear in many styles of music and can be used to create rhythmic tension, movement, groove, complexity, and unexpected accents. Practicing them can also strengthen rhythmic independence and your ability to feel more than one subdivision at the same time.

    The tool can be useful for exploring rhythm theory, drum patterns, beat making, percussion, songwriting, composition, rhythmic independence, and ear training.

    Tip: Start with 3:2 and listen to Rhythm A by itself. Then listen to Rhythm B by itself. Once you can feel both patterns independently, turn them on together and focus on the shared first beat. Try tapping one rhythm with your left hand and the other with your right. Slow the tempo down whenever you lose the pattern, then gradually speed it back up as the polyrhythm becomes more comfortable.

    Related Pages:

    The Possibilities With Rhythmic Phrasing In Your Music

    What Does It Mean To Have A Good Sense Of Rhythm?