2:3 polyrhythm
A 2:3 polyrhythm means playing 2 notes in the time another voice plays 3. In each cycle the two only meet on the 1; every other note falls on a different point of a grid of 6 equal parts (6 is the lowest common multiple of 2 and 3).
90 BPM
Andante
4/4 (2+2) BPM in quarter notes
Space bar: play/stop
Practice Polyrhythm
13 steps · one round takes about 2 min 25 s
Say along: “nice cup of tea”
The start of each group is accented.
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Counts the time the metronome is playing, on any metronome page. It stays on this device only: nothing is sent anywhere.
How to count 2:3
Count from 1 to 6, slowly and evenly. The 2 voice plays on 1, 4; the 3 voice on 1, 3, 5. Together they make the composite rhythm, on 1, 3, 4, 5.
Where the notes fall
| Grid | 2 voice | 3 voice | Phrase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ● 1 | ● 1 | nice |
| 3 | — | ● 2 | cup |
| 4 | ● 2 | — | of |
| 5 | — | ● 3 | tea |
The phrase to remember
The phrase teachers use is “nice cup of tea”, spoken evenly over the grid: each syllable lands on one note of the composite rhythm. “Nice” is the 1, with both voices together; the other three syllables are the notes that fall on their own. See the “Phrase” column in the table.
How to practise
- Start with the pulse (3) nice and slow: 90 BPM or less.
- Under “Hear”, leave only one voice on and play the other; then swap.
- Tap one voice with each hand (or hand and foot) and count the grid out loud.
- Once it is solid, raise the BPM or count the other voice instead.
The BPM of each voice
At 90 BPM on the 3 voice, the 2 voice moves at 60 BPM. Under “BPM counts” you can move the number to the other voice: the number changes, the speed does not.
Frequently asked questions
What does 2:3 mean?
2 notes of one voice in the time of 3 of the other. Say “2 against 3”. On this page the 3 voice is the pulse and the 2 voice fits over it.
What is the difference between 2:3 and 3:2?
The notes fall in the same places; what changes is which voice is the pulse. In 2:3 you feel 3 beats per cycle and fit 2 over them; in 3:2, the other way round.
Can I hear just one voice?
Yes: under “Hear”, choose only the 2 or only the 3. Both rows of lights keep going, so you can see where the other voice would land.