Radiohead · 1997 · 5 over 4 · ≈102 BPM
The 5 over 4 polymeter in Let Down by Radiohead
Press play to count the meter or try the original drum exercise. Slow the pulse down or speed it up to feel how the pattern works.
Every player fits the same bar: A splits it into 3, B into 2. They meet on beat 1.
Original practice groove. Kick follows the first layer and snare follows the second. Hi-hat keeps every shared pulse. This is a teaching model, not the recorded drum part.
● Hit · empty cell = rest. Switch a part off and play it yourself.
Practice tempo: 102 BPM
BPM is the shared pulse. Each row counts its own repeating loop.
Simplified educational demo, not a transcription of the recording.
Hear the real thing
Playing the track pauses the demo automatically (and vice versa) so they don't fight each other.
What's happening rhythmically
The opening of Let Down hides one of the most beautiful polymeters in rock. The chiming guitar figure cycles in groups of five while the rest of the band sits in ordinary 4/4.
The five-note pattern starts one pulse later against the bar each time through, producing that shimmering, slightly weightless quality. Then everything realigns after twenty pulses and the cycle begins again.
What to listen for
- The high guitar pattern starting in a different place against the bar each repeat
- The realignment every twenty pulses: four cycles of five, five bars of four
- How the vocal floats over both layers without committing to either
Count the whole cycle
Keep one steady pulse and let each count start again at its own length. After 20 pulses, both counts return to one together.
| Pulse | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | Next 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arpeggio (in 5) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| Band (in 4) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
Arpeggio (in 5) repeats 4 times; Band (in 4) repeats 5 times. In the drum exercise, kick marks the first layer’s starts and snare marks the second layer’s starts. These are count markers, not the recording’s drum hits.
Practise this rhythm
Hear the pattern
Choose Drum exercise at half speed. Count five with the kick and four with the snare; complete all twenty pulses before the layers realign.
Play the missing snare
Mute Snare and supply its marked hits yourself while the kick continues. Keep going until both layers meet on one.
Play the missing kick
Restore Snare, mute Kick and swap roles. Return to Count clicks and maintain both parts yourself.
