Last month we tackled five-over-three polyrhythms by playing five equally spaced notes across a bar of 3/4. This month we’ll dive into a seven-over-three polyrhythm using the same process. To create this rhythm, we’ll start with a bar of septuplets in 3/4. Accenting every third septuplet partial will give us the seven side of the rhythm, while quarter notes played underneath the hands comprise the three side. It’s imperative that you feel the quarter note as the pulse and the seven layer as a contrasting syncopation—your rhythmic perspective is much more important than the physical pattern.

March 2018 Issue