polyrhythmic etymology

Etymology

Polyrhythmic is derived from two Greek roots:

  • Poly: meaning "many" or "multiple"
  • Rhythm: meaning "flow" or "movement"

Meaning

Polyrhythmic refers to music that features simultaneous use of two or more different rhythms.

Origin

The term "polyrhythmic" was first used in the 19th century by European musicians to describe the complex rhythmic patterns found in African and other non-Western music. It has since become a common term in Western music to refer to any music that uses multiple rhythms.

Examples

Polyrhythmic patterns are found in many cultures around the world, including:

  • African drumming
  • Indonesian gamelan music
  • Indian tala systems
  • Balkan folk music
  • Jazz and contemporary classical music

polyrhythmic relate terms

  • rhythmic

    Etymology The word rhythmic is derived from the Greek word rhythmos which means mea

  • rhythm

    Etymology Old French rithme Latin rhythmus Greek ῥυθμός rhythmos Meaning

  • polyrhythm

    Etymology Polyrhythm is derived from two Greek words poly πολύς meaning man

  • polyrhythmic

    Etymology Polyrhythmic is derived from two Greek roots Poly meaning many or multip

  • poly

    Etymology The word poly comes from the Greek word polys which means many Meaning

  • multi

    Etymology The word multi originates from the Latin multus meaning many Meaning

  • polymer

    Etymology The word polymer is derived from the Greek words poly meaning many and

  • perspicacious

    Etymology of Perspicacious Perspicacious originates from the Latin word perspicax

  • explicit

    Etymology Explicit is derived from the Latin word explicitus meaning unfolded set

  • algebra

    Etymology The word algebra comes from Arabic الجبر al jabr meaning reunion

  • chicken

    Etymology The word chicken originates from the Old English word cicen which in turn

  • abeyance

    Etymology The word abeyance comes from the Old French word abeance which means cess

  • keen

    Etymology The word keen derives from the Old English word cēne meaning bold brave

  • quandary

    Etymology The word quandary comes from the Old French word quandenier which means

  • conjunction

    Etymology The word conjunction comes from the Latin word conjunctio which means jo