john

Not quite Kel as the suggested polyrhythms suggests different tempos as the ratios used would not create any standard note subdivisions, although that is a fairly good explanation of the polyrhythm concept (if almost identical to the wikipedia entry (someone has lifted on from the other). It remains closest to my understanding of plainsong in structure.

Exact time period depend on nation. As Kel says, if you have the original author's name you could recaps contact them and seek permission. Where are you based? USA would be my guess.

Tom, it's not an electronics thang... Polyrhythms have been used in many different genres: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyrhythm I've even used a few myself. However mst are pretty simplistic in nature with relatively short sectional repeats. I think what is being suggested here does depart from what is commonly done with polyrhythms but I am not a polyrhythms expert. Far from it. I am a little surprised you think it's an electronically thing. Rendering basic polyrhythms or polymeter can be possible in electronic composition tools, but depart into longer more complex patterns and the tools just will not cope. Performing such can be problematic too, certainly practice would be needed. I can understand why the OP might want to render it electronically!

I posted a reply on your other thread. tools wise I know of none other than simple multi-track recording. It sounds like a version of plainsong in structure, or at least highly related. Certainly conceptually, and other than that it would b. difference in number ratios which can be invented and reinvented until the cows come home... Ie it's not so much a discovery as an application of known technique.

Hi Actually it is remarkably close to the origins of western song, that of "plain song" or "plain chant", the forerunner of Gregorian Chant. It's been a while since I studied the form (almost 20 years) but beginning with only a single voice it evolved to commonly be made up of 4 voices. It was the first notated music. No meter was used. Each vocal part had it's own melody line and timing, length an repeat. The voices would then weave in and through each other creating interesting combinations. Although section lengths are not identical to yours they are similar in notion. Each is cyclic. If I remember correctly, and I may not be exactly accurate, they worked with an elementary rhythm, compound time and composite rhythm. You may find this document of interest: http://media.musicasacra.com/pdf/plainsong.pdf Modern music notation programmes and sequencers are geared to deal with standard note timing, time signatures and tonality. They don't cater for composition and perform any that is anything less than mass market. That being said I haven't looked for a while, but my guess is you will be looking for a highly specialised "off the beaten track" tool.

lol we've already spoken, but what the hell, welcome

Welcome to Songstuff

No, but certainly it is the most common time for application.