Polymetric Brain-Body Exercise

by Korekara Taiko

You will experience a polymeter combining 2 simple patterns to create a complex rhythm while getting your brain connected with your body.

Learning Target

● I can use a polymeter and experience how bilateral coordination can get my mind and body to work together.

Materials

● Your body

● Pen and Paper for reflection

Instructions

1. Let’s establish the basics by practicing each pattern. The first pattern uses your upper body and is in 2 counts. Count #1 is arms extended out to your side. Count #2 is arms down by your side. Warm-up by repeating this sequence ~8 times.

2. The second pattern uses your lower body and is in 3 counts. Count #1 & #2 requires you to jump in place with your legs together. On Count #3, you will jump with your legs apart. To get accustomed to this sequence, practice this consecutively ~8 times.

3. Now put both upper and lower body patterns together to create a polymetric rhythm. Keep repeating until you find the repetitive cycle. Change the tempo and challenge the duration of how long you can keep this up.

Reflection

Write or Draw in your journal or sketchbook
● Reflect on your experience. Were there times when your brain or your body got confused? What did it take to connect your understanding of the exercise with your brain and your ability to execute the exercise with your body?
● Can you think of a time when you have needed to actively connect your brain and body within your everyday life?
● Polymeters are sometimes considered musical symbols of the interwoven relationships between people that combine to build a multi-faceted cultural expression of community. Listen to your own music and notice if you hear any polymeters (or even polyrhythms, which are 2 or more rhythms played simultaneously). Does this shift how you hear your music?

Extra

● Watch Michelle & Toru demonstrate this Polymetric Brain-Body Exercise and practice alongside them. Video link: https://vimeo.com/501525886/2f9f0d48f7
● Design your own polymetric body exercise. Set unique sequences of different lengths for two parts of your body and put it together. If you’d like to be ambitious, try to go for 3 body rhythms or more! Feel free to challenge someone in your house or even at an online gathering to try this out.