Syncopation
Deliberate displacement of the expected rhythmic accent
Category
rhythm
Pronunciation
sin-koh-PAY-shun
Origin
Latin
Length
93 words · 1 min read
About Syncopation
Syncopation places emphasis on weak beats or between beats, disrupting the regular pattern of strong and weak accents. It creates a sense of rhythmic tension and forward motion.
More rhythm terms
Dotted Note
View all rhythmterms →A note followed by a dot, which increases its duration by half its original value.
Rubato (rhythm)A flexible approach to tempo in which some beats are slightly lengthened and others shortened for expressive effect.
BeatThe basic unit of time in music — the regular pulse a listener feels
HemiolaA rhythmic device in which two bars of triple time are made to sound like three bars of duple time, or vice versa.
Compound timeTime signatures in which each beat subdivides naturally into three equal parts.
Synonyms
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v1 · 09/04/2026Browse all terms →