Key Concepts

This chapter introduces eight foundational concepts related to polyrhythm and rhythmic pedals:

1. Gathering into Meter - Notational practice of organizing ametric music within conventional metric frameworks
2. Superposition of Rhythms of Unequal Length - Layering patterns of different durations that cycle until realignment
3. Superposition upon Different Forms of Augmentation - Presenting patterns at multiple time-scales simultaneously
4. Superposition upon Its Retrograde - Layering a pattern with its temporal reversal
5. Rhythmic Canons - Contrapuntal structures with rhythmic imitation independent of pitch
6. Canon by the Addition of the Dot - Canonic structures where voices progressively augment through dotting
7. Canon of Nonretrogradable Rhythms - Canons where all voices employ palindromic rhythms
8. Rhythmic Pedal - Patterns repeating ostinato-fashion independent of surrounding activity