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Two or more different rhythmic patterns performed simultaneously (e.g., three against two, four against three).
Polyrhythm adds rhythmic complexity and tension. 3 against 2 is the most common: one hand plays triplets while the other plays duplets. Brahms and Chopin use polyrhythm extensively. Start with simple ratios (3:2) before attempting more complex ones (5:4, 7:4).
Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu — the right hand plays four notes per beat against the left hand's three, creating the piece's characteristic restless energy.
Polyrhythm is one of 1760 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary: the words, abbreviations and instrument names that appear in printed scores, plus the vocabulary composers use to talk about them.
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