(Well, I used it to teach myself. Whether newbies here find it easy only they can tell
)It’s based on two principles. Firstly that it is easier to sing or play a rhythm you’ve actually heard than to sight read it from a score. Secondly that the structure of a polyrhythm is more readily discernable if the whole thing is temporarily channelled into one voice.
Anyway, here’s what you do:
(1) Choose a polyrhythm from this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SekFfMvepYg
(2) Tap it with *one hand* on the desk (or clap it), until you’re confident you’ve got it
(3) Now tap it with *both hands*, dividing the two pulses between LH and RH. Both hands go down together on the first beat, then successive taps alternate between right and left.
...and that’s it!
Notes:
The soundtrack contains three basic polyrhythms: 3:2, 4:3 and 5:4. The phrase 'nice cup of tea' is often used to teach 3:2
The simple right-left alternation doesn’t work with all polyrhythms, but it does with these.
You can check whether you’ve mastered a given polyrhythm by playing a scale at the piano. In the case of 4:3, for example, you’ll eventually be able to play 4 octaves of C major with your right hand while the left hand plays 3 octaves. Next try 3:4 by swapping hands. (You’ll probably need a descending scale for that one.)
Once you can do 4:3, it’s relatively easy to learn 5:3 and 7:3. (Congratulations, you’re half way to playing Chopin’s A flat major nocturne
)Similarly, once you’ve learnt 5:4, you can quickly pick up 7:4 and 9:4