The simultaneous use of two or more conflicting rhythmic patterns or time signatures, creating complex interlocking rhythmic textures. Different voices or instruments maintain their own rhythmic identity while contributing to a unified whole.
From Greek 'poly-' (many) + 'rhythmos' (measured flow, rhythm). While polyrhythmic practices existed in various world music traditions for centuries, the term entered Western musical vocabulary in the 20th century as composers began systematically incorporating these techniques into art music.
Polyrhythm is like watching multiple dancers perform different choreographies simultaneously—somehow the chaos creates perfect order! African musical traditions mastered this centuries ago, and when jazz musicians discovered these concepts, they revolutionized Western music by proving that rhythm could be as harmonically complex as melody.
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