7:4 polyrhythm
A 7:4 polyrhythm means playing 7 notes in the time another voice plays 4. In each cycle the two only meet on the 1; every other note falls on a different point of a grid of 28 equal parts (28 is the lowest common multiple of 7 and 4).
50 BPM
Largo
4/4 (2+2) BPM in quarter notes
Space bar: play/stop
Practice Polyrhythm
13 steps · one round takes about 2 min 25 s
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 7:4
Count from 1 to 28, slowly and evenly. The 7 voice plays on 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25; the 4 voice on 1, 8, 15, 22. Together they make the composite rhythm, on 1, 5, 8, 9, 13, 15, 17, 21, 22, 25.
Where the notes fall
| Grid | 7 voice | 4 voice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ● 1 | ● 1 |
| 5 | ● 2 | — |
| 8 | — | ● 2 |
| 9 | ● 3 | — |
| 13 | ● 4 | — |
| 15 | — | ● 3 |
| 17 | ● 5 | — |
| 21 | ● 6 | — |
| 22 | — | ● 4 |
| 25 | ● 7 | — |
How to practise
- Start with the pulse (4) nice and slow: 50 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 50 BPM on the 4 voice, the 7 voice moves at 87.5 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 7:4 mean?
7 notes of one voice in the time of 4 of the other. Say “7 against 4”. On this page the 4 voice is the pulse and the 7 voice fits over it.
What is the difference between 7:4 and 4:7?
The notes fall in the same places; what changes is which voice is the pulse. In 7:4 you feel 4 beats per cycle and fit 7 over them; in 4:7, the other way round.
Can I hear just one voice?
Yes: under “Hear”, choose only the 7 or only the 4. Both rows of lights keep going, so you can see where the other voice would land.