Syncopation

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Syncopation is when a strong beat occurs in music which would normally be a weak beat.

In 3/4 time and 2/4 time, the strong beat is the first beat of the bar, Strong Weak Weak and Strong Weak. In 4/4 time, the first beat is strong and the third beat is quite strong, Strong Weak Medium Weak.

When music is syncopated, examples would be 3/4  Weak Strong Weak,  4/4 Weak Strong Medium Weak or 2/4 Weak Strong. In the example below of the common time top stave, the strong beat falls on the second beat. In the 3/4 time bottom stave, the strong beat falls on the second half of the first beat. The use of rests and ties are used to create syncopated rhythms.


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In the next example, the 3rd and 4th beats are being tied over to the 1st beat of the second bar creating a syncopated rhythm.


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Baxter, Harry and Michael Baxter. The Right Way To Read Music. Tadworth: Right Way, 1993. Print, pp. 76 and 77.