Words to describe this Dance Music texture/effect












3















So we always have like in dance music 4/4 and like 4 kicks in one bar with two claps or snares on every second beat going and let's say I add some bassline that plays totally different rhythm/pulse (not sure for correct term) and now they are playing against each other, making music sound more interesting but still flow together. What is it called in music? I know that this is not polymeter or polyrhythm. Then I keep adding more instruments like strings and drones playing some even more different rhythms that plays like one note a bar let's say and some arps that plays 1/16 a bar. I'm just looking for definition of this and where I could learn more how to layer these different voices playing against each other in different rhythms/pulses for interesting variation.



I have an example of this first track in the beginning:





There is drums, man's voice saying "mhmm" every 4 beats, some different rhythm bells in the background and some other stuff going on.








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    3















    So we always have like in dance music 4/4 and like 4 kicks in one bar with two claps or snares on every second beat going and let's say I add some bassline that plays totally different rhythm/pulse (not sure for correct term) and now they are playing against each other, making music sound more interesting but still flow together. What is it called in music? I know that this is not polymeter or polyrhythm. Then I keep adding more instruments like strings and drones playing some even more different rhythms that plays like one note a bar let's say and some arps that plays 1/16 a bar. I'm just looking for definition of this and where I could learn more how to layer these different voices playing against each other in different rhythms/pulses for interesting variation.



    I have an example of this first track in the beginning:





    There is drums, man's voice saying "mhmm" every 4 beats, some different rhythm bells in the background and some other stuff going on.








    share|improve this question









    New contributor




    Limpuls is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.























      3












      3








      3








      So we always have like in dance music 4/4 and like 4 kicks in one bar with two claps or snares on every second beat going and let's say I add some bassline that plays totally different rhythm/pulse (not sure for correct term) and now they are playing against each other, making music sound more interesting but still flow together. What is it called in music? I know that this is not polymeter or polyrhythm. Then I keep adding more instruments like strings and drones playing some even more different rhythms that plays like one note a bar let's say and some arps that plays 1/16 a bar. I'm just looking for definition of this and where I could learn more how to layer these different voices playing against each other in different rhythms/pulses for interesting variation.



      I have an example of this first track in the beginning:





      There is drums, man's voice saying "mhmm" every 4 beats, some different rhythm bells in the background and some other stuff going on.








      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      Limpuls is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.












      So we always have like in dance music 4/4 and like 4 kicks in one bar with two claps or snares on every second beat going and let's say I add some bassline that plays totally different rhythm/pulse (not sure for correct term) and now they are playing against each other, making music sound more interesting but still flow together. What is it called in music? I know that this is not polymeter or polyrhythm. Then I keep adding more instruments like strings and drones playing some even more different rhythms that plays like one note a bar let's say and some arps that plays 1/16 a bar. I'm just looking for definition of this and where I could learn more how to layer these different voices playing against each other in different rhythms/pulses for interesting variation.



      I have an example of this first track in the beginning:





      There is drums, man's voice saying "mhmm" every 4 beats, some different rhythm bells in the background and some other stuff going on.









      rhythm drums beats






      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      Limpuls is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      Limpuls is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      share|improve this question




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      edited 1 hour ago









      user45266

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      asked 3 hours ago









      LimpulsLimpuls

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          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          4














          In a classical sense, it would make sense to use the term "counterpoint" for the distinct melody lines all sounding independent. In a more general and often rhythmic sense, it could also be called polyphony. Also, "layered texture" might be a more contemporary description of the effect.



          I advise everyone that it's not extremely important to have classical music terminology in this kind of music; no one's going to know what you're talking about.






          share|improve this answer
























          • These aren't 'classical' terms. Maybe 'technical' or 'scholarly' terms are better words. But the term describe much more than classical style. I figured that when the OP mentioned 'polyrhythm' they were looking for technical terminology. But, I do agree with you that such technical terms might not be the best way to talk about this style of music.

            – Michael Curtis
            1 hour ago



















          3














          Counterpoint or counter-rhythm.



          Some feel 'counterpoint' should only be used with the mean 'point against point' meaning pitch against pitch and use the term 'counter-rhythm' to mean the combination of more than one rhythm.






          share|improve this answer
























          • NB: punctum contra punctum, from which we get the word "counterpoint," literally means "note against note" in Latin. (The relation is especially clear in the German Kontrapunkt.)

            – Richard
            1 hour ago











          • When I read Piston's Counterpoint the big take away for me was independence of lines will be more pronounced from rhythmic difference than pitch difference. I suppose that was just my personal impression, and I shouldn't use 'counterpoint' instead of 'counter-rhythm.'

            – Michael Curtis
            31 mins ago



















          3














          If you have two "layers" or tracks with the same loop lengths but a pattern of accenting that is fully or partially offset, perhaps you could say that is an example of syncopation. If you have two layers with similar but offset metres that sustain for a long period of time, I'm not entirely sure why that couldn't be called a polyrhythm.



          If the pattern lengths of two repeating layers are different, again, I think you might describe that as a polyrhythm - possibly more specifically as a cross-rhythm. Sustained hemiola is an example of cross-rhythm often found in dance music.






          share|improve this answer
























          • Yeah, I read that syncopation is unexpected rhythm changes, like upbeat or downbeat. Regarding polyrhythm, I'm still not sure what it means. What do you mean by offset metres? Like if one layer is playing 4 bars long melody and some other layer is playing some other instrument for 2 bars?

            – Limpuls
            2 mins ago











          Your Answer








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          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes








          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes









          4














          In a classical sense, it would make sense to use the term "counterpoint" for the distinct melody lines all sounding independent. In a more general and often rhythmic sense, it could also be called polyphony. Also, "layered texture" might be a more contemporary description of the effect.



          I advise everyone that it's not extremely important to have classical music terminology in this kind of music; no one's going to know what you're talking about.






          share|improve this answer
























          • These aren't 'classical' terms. Maybe 'technical' or 'scholarly' terms are better words. But the term describe much more than classical style. I figured that when the OP mentioned 'polyrhythm' they were looking for technical terminology. But, I do agree with you that such technical terms might not be the best way to talk about this style of music.

            – Michael Curtis
            1 hour ago
















          4














          In a classical sense, it would make sense to use the term "counterpoint" for the distinct melody lines all sounding independent. In a more general and often rhythmic sense, it could also be called polyphony. Also, "layered texture" might be a more contemporary description of the effect.



          I advise everyone that it's not extremely important to have classical music terminology in this kind of music; no one's going to know what you're talking about.






          share|improve this answer
























          • These aren't 'classical' terms. Maybe 'technical' or 'scholarly' terms are better words. But the term describe much more than classical style. I figured that when the OP mentioned 'polyrhythm' they were looking for technical terminology. But, I do agree with you that such technical terms might not be the best way to talk about this style of music.

            – Michael Curtis
            1 hour ago














          4












          4








          4







          In a classical sense, it would make sense to use the term "counterpoint" for the distinct melody lines all sounding independent. In a more general and often rhythmic sense, it could also be called polyphony. Also, "layered texture" might be a more contemporary description of the effect.



          I advise everyone that it's not extremely important to have classical music terminology in this kind of music; no one's going to know what you're talking about.






          share|improve this answer













          In a classical sense, it would make sense to use the term "counterpoint" for the distinct melody lines all sounding independent. In a more general and often rhythmic sense, it could also be called polyphony. Also, "layered texture" might be a more contemporary description of the effect.



          I advise everyone that it's not extremely important to have classical music terminology in this kind of music; no one's going to know what you're talking about.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 1 hour ago









          user45266user45266

          2,419327




          2,419327













          • These aren't 'classical' terms. Maybe 'technical' or 'scholarly' terms are better words. But the term describe much more than classical style. I figured that when the OP mentioned 'polyrhythm' they were looking for technical terminology. But, I do agree with you that such technical terms might not be the best way to talk about this style of music.

            – Michael Curtis
            1 hour ago



















          • These aren't 'classical' terms. Maybe 'technical' or 'scholarly' terms are better words. But the term describe much more than classical style. I figured that when the OP mentioned 'polyrhythm' they were looking for technical terminology. But, I do agree with you that such technical terms might not be the best way to talk about this style of music.

            – Michael Curtis
            1 hour ago

















          These aren't 'classical' terms. Maybe 'technical' or 'scholarly' terms are better words. But the term describe much more than classical style. I figured that when the OP mentioned 'polyrhythm' they were looking for technical terminology. But, I do agree with you that such technical terms might not be the best way to talk about this style of music.

          – Michael Curtis
          1 hour ago





          These aren't 'classical' terms. Maybe 'technical' or 'scholarly' terms are better words. But the term describe much more than classical style. I figured that when the OP mentioned 'polyrhythm' they were looking for technical terminology. But, I do agree with you that such technical terms might not be the best way to talk about this style of music.

          – Michael Curtis
          1 hour ago











          3














          Counterpoint or counter-rhythm.



          Some feel 'counterpoint' should only be used with the mean 'point against point' meaning pitch against pitch and use the term 'counter-rhythm' to mean the combination of more than one rhythm.






          share|improve this answer
























          • NB: punctum contra punctum, from which we get the word "counterpoint," literally means "note against note" in Latin. (The relation is especially clear in the German Kontrapunkt.)

            – Richard
            1 hour ago











          • When I read Piston's Counterpoint the big take away for me was independence of lines will be more pronounced from rhythmic difference than pitch difference. I suppose that was just my personal impression, and I shouldn't use 'counterpoint' instead of 'counter-rhythm.'

            – Michael Curtis
            31 mins ago
















          3














          Counterpoint or counter-rhythm.



          Some feel 'counterpoint' should only be used with the mean 'point against point' meaning pitch against pitch and use the term 'counter-rhythm' to mean the combination of more than one rhythm.






          share|improve this answer
























          • NB: punctum contra punctum, from which we get the word "counterpoint," literally means "note against note" in Latin. (The relation is especially clear in the German Kontrapunkt.)

            – Richard
            1 hour ago











          • When I read Piston's Counterpoint the big take away for me was independence of lines will be more pronounced from rhythmic difference than pitch difference. I suppose that was just my personal impression, and I shouldn't use 'counterpoint' instead of 'counter-rhythm.'

            – Michael Curtis
            31 mins ago














          3












          3








          3







          Counterpoint or counter-rhythm.



          Some feel 'counterpoint' should only be used with the mean 'point against point' meaning pitch against pitch and use the term 'counter-rhythm' to mean the combination of more than one rhythm.






          share|improve this answer













          Counterpoint or counter-rhythm.



          Some feel 'counterpoint' should only be used with the mean 'point against point' meaning pitch against pitch and use the term 'counter-rhythm' to mean the combination of more than one rhythm.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 3 hours ago









          Michael CurtisMichael Curtis

          6,402427




          6,402427













          • NB: punctum contra punctum, from which we get the word "counterpoint," literally means "note against note" in Latin. (The relation is especially clear in the German Kontrapunkt.)

            – Richard
            1 hour ago











          • When I read Piston's Counterpoint the big take away for me was independence of lines will be more pronounced from rhythmic difference than pitch difference. I suppose that was just my personal impression, and I shouldn't use 'counterpoint' instead of 'counter-rhythm.'

            – Michael Curtis
            31 mins ago



















          • NB: punctum contra punctum, from which we get the word "counterpoint," literally means "note against note" in Latin. (The relation is especially clear in the German Kontrapunkt.)

            – Richard
            1 hour ago











          • When I read Piston's Counterpoint the big take away for me was independence of lines will be more pronounced from rhythmic difference than pitch difference. I suppose that was just my personal impression, and I shouldn't use 'counterpoint' instead of 'counter-rhythm.'

            – Michael Curtis
            31 mins ago

















          NB: punctum contra punctum, from which we get the word "counterpoint," literally means "note against note" in Latin. (The relation is especially clear in the German Kontrapunkt.)

          – Richard
          1 hour ago





          NB: punctum contra punctum, from which we get the word "counterpoint," literally means "note against note" in Latin. (The relation is especially clear in the German Kontrapunkt.)

          – Richard
          1 hour ago













          When I read Piston's Counterpoint the big take away for me was independence of lines will be more pronounced from rhythmic difference than pitch difference. I suppose that was just my personal impression, and I shouldn't use 'counterpoint' instead of 'counter-rhythm.'

          – Michael Curtis
          31 mins ago





          When I read Piston's Counterpoint the big take away for me was independence of lines will be more pronounced from rhythmic difference than pitch difference. I suppose that was just my personal impression, and I shouldn't use 'counterpoint' instead of 'counter-rhythm.'

          – Michael Curtis
          31 mins ago











          3














          If you have two "layers" or tracks with the same loop lengths but a pattern of accenting that is fully or partially offset, perhaps you could say that is an example of syncopation. If you have two layers with similar but offset metres that sustain for a long period of time, I'm not entirely sure why that couldn't be called a polyrhythm.



          If the pattern lengths of two repeating layers are different, again, I think you might describe that as a polyrhythm - possibly more specifically as a cross-rhythm. Sustained hemiola is an example of cross-rhythm often found in dance music.






          share|improve this answer
























          • Yeah, I read that syncopation is unexpected rhythm changes, like upbeat or downbeat. Regarding polyrhythm, I'm still not sure what it means. What do you mean by offset metres? Like if one layer is playing 4 bars long melody and some other layer is playing some other instrument for 2 bars?

            – Limpuls
            2 mins ago
















          3














          If you have two "layers" or tracks with the same loop lengths but a pattern of accenting that is fully or partially offset, perhaps you could say that is an example of syncopation. If you have two layers with similar but offset metres that sustain for a long period of time, I'm not entirely sure why that couldn't be called a polyrhythm.



          If the pattern lengths of two repeating layers are different, again, I think you might describe that as a polyrhythm - possibly more specifically as a cross-rhythm. Sustained hemiola is an example of cross-rhythm often found in dance music.






          share|improve this answer
























          • Yeah, I read that syncopation is unexpected rhythm changes, like upbeat or downbeat. Regarding polyrhythm, I'm still not sure what it means. What do you mean by offset metres? Like if one layer is playing 4 bars long melody and some other layer is playing some other instrument for 2 bars?

            – Limpuls
            2 mins ago














          3












          3








          3







          If you have two "layers" or tracks with the same loop lengths but a pattern of accenting that is fully or partially offset, perhaps you could say that is an example of syncopation. If you have two layers with similar but offset metres that sustain for a long period of time, I'm not entirely sure why that couldn't be called a polyrhythm.



          If the pattern lengths of two repeating layers are different, again, I think you might describe that as a polyrhythm - possibly more specifically as a cross-rhythm. Sustained hemiola is an example of cross-rhythm often found in dance music.






          share|improve this answer













          If you have two "layers" or tracks with the same loop lengths but a pattern of accenting that is fully or partially offset, perhaps you could say that is an example of syncopation. If you have two layers with similar but offset metres that sustain for a long period of time, I'm not entirely sure why that couldn't be called a polyrhythm.



          If the pattern lengths of two repeating layers are different, again, I think you might describe that as a polyrhythm - possibly more specifically as a cross-rhythm. Sustained hemiola is an example of cross-rhythm often found in dance music.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 1 hour ago









          topo mortotopo morto

          23.8k24099




          23.8k24099













          • Yeah, I read that syncopation is unexpected rhythm changes, like upbeat or downbeat. Regarding polyrhythm, I'm still not sure what it means. What do you mean by offset metres? Like if one layer is playing 4 bars long melody and some other layer is playing some other instrument for 2 bars?

            – Limpuls
            2 mins ago



















          • Yeah, I read that syncopation is unexpected rhythm changes, like upbeat or downbeat. Regarding polyrhythm, I'm still not sure what it means. What do you mean by offset metres? Like if one layer is playing 4 bars long melody and some other layer is playing some other instrument for 2 bars?

            – Limpuls
            2 mins ago

















          Yeah, I read that syncopation is unexpected rhythm changes, like upbeat or downbeat. Regarding polyrhythm, I'm still not sure what it means. What do you mean by offset metres? Like if one layer is playing 4 bars long melody and some other layer is playing some other instrument for 2 bars?

          – Limpuls
          2 mins ago





          Yeah, I read that syncopation is unexpected rhythm changes, like upbeat or downbeat. Regarding polyrhythm, I'm still not sure what it means. What do you mean by offset metres? Like if one layer is playing 4 bars long melody and some other layer is playing some other instrument for 2 bars?

          – Limpuls
          2 mins ago










          Limpuls is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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