noun

syncopation

/ˌsɪŋkəˈpeɪʃən/ · say it: SIN·kuh·PAY·shun

stressing normally weak musical beats

In more detail

1. (noun) a rhythm in music where the stress falls on a beat that is not normally stressed, creating an unexpected or off-beat feeling

2. (noun) the technique or effect of using such rhythms in music or dance

Examples

1. The jazz piece uses syncopation to give it an energetic, bouncy feel.
2. Dancers love syncopation because it makes the music sound more interesting and complex.

How to use syncopation

Syncopation is a technical term in music and dance referring to rhythmic techniques that deliberately shift emphasis away from expected beats, creating energy and movement. It is used most commonly in discussions of jazz, funk, Latin music, and contemporary dance, where it is a defining stylistic feature. The word carries neutral to formal register and is precise enough for both casual and academic musical discourse.

Common phrases

syncopation in jazz
use syncopation
rhythmic syncopation
create syncopation
complex syncopation
syncopation effect

Synonyms

off-beat rhythm · syncopated rhythm · displaced beat · rhythmic displacement · swing rhythm

Opposites

straight rhythm · regular meter

Word family

syncopate (verb) · syncopated (adjective) · syncopator (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse syncopation with simple irregularity or asymmetry in rhythm; syncopation specifically refers to deliberately placing stress on weak or off-beats within an otherwise regular metrical structure, not merely having an uneven rhythm.

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