The term Syncopation refers to the technique of accenting the weak beats in the rhythm.

This can add rhythmic tension or create a groove.

There are a many different types of syncopation. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Try clapping along as you count the examples and accent the blue numbers with harder claps.

Backbeat Syncopation

Typically in meters that have an even amount of beats (2/4, 4/4) the accent falls on the odd numbered beats. If you accent the even numbered beats the rhythm becomes syncopated.

Latin Syncopation

You can use accents to alter the feel of a common beat and make it more interesting. Here the accents give the beat a Latin feel.

Before the Beat Syncopation

By moving a melody note from a downbeat to an upbeat you can breath new life into an old melody and create a groove. Check out the first line to Mary Had a Little Lamb. This is also called anticipating the note.