POLYNOME ARTIST

Jonathan Curtis

Independent

“Polynome is an incredibly powerful tool that has become an integral part of my working set-up. There is nothing else like it.”

THE ARTIST’S STORY

Behind the music.

About Jonathan

Jonathan Curtis is a composer, author, producer, educator, and freelance drummer. Author of the books Linear Freedom (2017) and Broken Time Drumming (2020), his work covers the analysis of playing concepts and the theory behind it. His books have sold worldwide. Alongside numerous studio credits and live work, Jonathan has written and produced numerous albums in an eclectic mix of styles. He is a composer and performer of snare drum repertoire, and is currently conducting an extensive Arts Council-funded commission in this role.

Jonathan on PolyNome

I use PolyNome predominantly as a practice aid with the material with which I am working. My work on snare drum composition often sees me faced with some rather tricky rhythmic passages, and PolyNome provides a way to program, hear, and practise these passages. The fact that I can program in virtually any rhythm, apply secondary rhythms, endlessly customisable click patterns, apply sounds and embellishments, and adjust and apply tempo automation, loop functions, and various practice utilities has made it absolutely invaluable in my work. My favourite thing about PolyNome is in its ability to handle the most complex rhythms. Complex tuplets, nested rhythms, polyrhythms, and complete freedom of time signatures mean it is completely up to the task of modern compositional work.