Theory of Music Grade 4

Lesson 18 ± Syncopation ± Definitions - Terms

Syncopation
‡ Syncopation means disturbance of the normal accent, so that beats or parts of beats, normally unstressed become stressed. The above is an exact definition of syncopation. A more simple definition: shifting the regular beat to somewhere else. The regular strong beat in 4/4 time is on beats 1 and 3 The regular strong beat in 3/4, 2/4, 3/8 time is on beat 1

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Syncopation
‡ There are many ways to create syncopation. The four most common ways to create syncopation are: 1. Tieing a weak-beat note to a strong beat. 2. Putting a long note on a weak beat. 3. Using an accent on a weak beat. 4. Putting a rest in place of a strong note.

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Syncopation Video