Polyrhythm metronome & visualizer

Count a 3:2 polyrhythm

Three pulses in voice A share the time of two pulses in voice B. Divide the cycle into six equal slots: A strikes on 1, 3 and 5; B strikes on 1 and 4. Both start together and meet again at the next cycle. Step through the grid slowly, listen to each voice alone, then clap one while the other plays.

What does BPM mean here?

BPM always measures voice B, the second number in the ratio. At 3:2 with B set to 80 BPM, two B beats take 1.5 seconds; A plays three pulses in that same span. At 4:3 and B = 60 BPM, the shared cycle lasts three seconds. Changing the ratio may therefore change the cycle length.

Method and practice limits

The shared grid uses the least common multiple of the two pulse counts. If the counts are A and B, the cycle has LCM(A,B) slots. A plays every LCM/A slots; B every LCM/B. Counts with a common factor repeat a smaller pattern within the displayed cycle: 6:4 contains two 3:2 patterns. The Berklee rhythm lesson introduces layered rhythms.

Live audio uses the browser audio clock; the marker is a visual guide and can lag sound. Playback stops when you change settings or leave the tab. Keep the page in front while practicing. Device output latency and browser performance vary. Exported WAV audio contains four cycles, follows the current mute choices and has a short final decay. It has no count-in or tempo changes.

Audio starts only when you press Play. If the browser does not support live audio, you can still use the grid and download WAV. No microphone or account is needed. For a different game-night timing task, try the chess clock.