Have you ever experienced
something out of sync?
Maybe you waited for a youtube video
to load while the audio was already
playing.
Have you ever watched a movie that
another language had been mixed in
over the top of the original recording?
SYNC means:
There is a harmonious relationship between
different parts; complimentary relationship.
In music, we use the word
“SYNCOPATION”
to describe rhythms that occur in
between strong beats.
? ? ? ? Syncopation ? ? ? ?
It is the TEMPORARY displacement of the
regular beat
 It is most often described as an “off beat”
or a note that is not on the beat.
The emphasis of the beat shifts from a
strong accent to a weak accent.
It disrupts a two-three-or four beat stress
pattern
Consider the REGULAR beat!
1
2
3
4
Now, SUBDIVIDE the beat!
1 + 2+ 3+ 4+
INSTEAD of emphasizing the regular
beat, emphasize the “OFF BEAT”
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
ti Ti ti Ti ti Ti ti Ti
What happens if we place an eighth rest on the
strong beat?
Syncopation
Syncopation
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
Syncopation
This is also known as backbeat.
Some notes
happen on the
beat and others
happen on the
“off beat”
Notice what happens to the rhythm when notes are
rearranged. Which examples have notes on the beat
and off the beat?
Some common examples of what
SYNCOPATION may look like.
Identify sections with syncopation.
TRY to clap THIS!!!
1 + 2 + 3
4
ti Ta
Ta
ti Ta
TRY to clap THAT!!!
1 + 2 + 3
ti Ta
4
ti Ta - ah
TRY to clap THIS!!!
1 + 2 + 3 + 4
ti Ta
ti ti ti Ta
TRY to clap THAT!!!
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
ti Ta Ta Ta
ti
TRY THIS ONE!!!
SYNCOPATION
REVIEW 1
Define the musical term:
SYNCOPATION
It is the TEMPORARY displacement of the
regular beat
It causes emphasis of the beat to shift from
a strong accent to a weak accent.
It disrupts a two-three-or four beat stress
pattern
It is most often described as an “off beat”
or a note that is not on the beat.
Identify the syncopation.
True or False
The following example in 4/4 time
represents syncopation.
1
2
3
4
True or False
The following example in 4/4 time
represents syncopation.
1
2
3
4
Identify the syncopated rhythm
being performed?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Go home and
tell your
parents you are
SYNCOPATED