Metronome & Polyrhythmic Coherence Visualizer

What is a Polymeter?

Polymeter it's a polyrhythmic metronome An advanced tool designed for practicing polyrhythms visually and intuitively. Unlike a traditional metronome, it allows you to overlay up to three simultaneous rhythmic patterns (called Axes) and see how they relate geometrically in real time.

It is ideal for:

  • Musicians of jazz, progressive rock, African, Latin or contemporary music
  • Percussion and drum students
  • Composers who work with polyrhythms
  • Anyone who wants to improve their rhythmic independence

How to get started using Polymeter

  1. Open the HTML file in any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari).
  2. You will see three color axes:
    • Axis I (yellow) → 3 pulses – Wood sound
    • Axis II (turquoise) → 4 pulses – Tick sound
    • Axis III (violet) → 5 pulses – Key sound (disabled by default)
  3. Press the button Play (top right circle) to begin.
  4. The central circle shows the geometry of each rhythm and a "planet" that travels around the circle indicating the current pulse.

Main controls

Tempo (BPM)

  • Tap quickly Enter the BPM number (top left) several times to set the tempo using the method tap tempo.
  • Press and hold for 1 second The same button opens the tempo wheel. Drag vertically to precisely adjust the BPM (range 20–300).

Top buttons

  • Arrow icon (Invert geometry): changes the position of pulse 1. By default it is up; when reversed it is down.
  • Sun / Moon: alternates between dark theme and light theme.

Controls for each axis

On the side panels (Axis I and Axis II) and the bottom panel (Axis III) you can:

Control Function
Pulses Number of beats per measure (1 or more)
Texture Type of sound (Wood, Metal, Click, Tick, Clave, Shaker, Digital, Pure)
Volume Level of each axis + mute button
Frequency Fine adjustment of sound tone (200–1000 Hz)
Circular button Activate or deactivate the axis

Accents

Beam click on the numbers that surround each circle to accentuate that pulse. The accent sounds stronger and slightly higher-pitched. Ideal for marking the “1” or creating clave patterns.

Polymeter Practice Tips

Beginner

  • It begins with only Axis I (3) and Axis II (4). It is the most classic 3:4 polyrhythm.
  • Activate Axis III only when you have mastered the first two.

Intermediate

  • Try 5:4, 5:3 or 7:4.
  • Use the invert geometry button to change the visual perception of the “1”.
  • Combine different textures (e.g., Wood + Key + Tick) so that each voice is clearly distinguishable.

Advanced

  • Create accents in non-obvious positions (for example, the 2 and 4 of a 5).
  • Practice at slow tempos (40–60 BPM) to feel each polyrhythm clearly.
  • Temporarily silence one axis to check if you are maintaining the internal pulse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Polymeter on my mobile phone? Yes. The interface is optimized for touchscreens. The Play and Tempo buttons have full touch zones.

Are the sounds generated in real time? Yes. It uses the browser's audio engine (Web Audio API). It does not require an internet connection once the page has loaded.

Can settings be saved? Not currently. The app is designed as a quick and lightweight practice tool.

What does “polyrhythmia” mean? It's the overlapping of two or more rhythms with different subdivisions that periodically coincide. Polymeter lets you see and hear exactly when those points coincide.

Related keywords

polyrhythmic metronome · polyrhythm · rhythm practice · visual metronome · rhythmic axes · 3 vs. 4 · 5 vs. 4 · drum metronome · rhythm training · rhythm geometry · Polymeter

Polymeter It transforms polyrhythms into something visible, audible, and easy to internalize. Open it, choose your axes, and start feeling the rhythm in a completely new way.