Syncopation Basics: 1-&-2-&

Syncopation: stressing the normally unaccented beats.

Above are two examples of eighth note syncopations:

1) simple eighth notes (1   + 2   +) with the syncopation tied together.

2) same exact rhythm written in a 'simplified' manner: an eighth note followed by a quarter note and then an eighth note. (1  +  2  +). Just remember that 2 eighth notes tied together=1 quarter note.


Sounds easy right? Not necessarily. Syncopation in music and in violin playing can be difficult. It is almost like learning how to pat your head and rub your belly simultaneously & then switch it around instantly. In western music today the accented beats are typically the 1st and 3rd or the 2nd and 4th beats of 4/4 music. Listen to the radio and this is typically the type of pop music background beat you will hear, there are exceptions of course. And because of this most people are not accustomed to hearing the inner beats or intricate syncopated rhythms that can be intertwined amidst the larger beats, sometimes this can be those eighth notes above.

To practice syncopation first try clapping and saying all the small beats like in the first example, 1 + 2 +. Then work your way into saying the small beats but only clapping the larger overall syncopation, so where the +2 is underlined, you would only clap once and not twice, 1  +  2  +.

If you are just as confused as Mr. Syncopation below that is OK! & if it would help for me to make a video that more aurally and visually explains this just post in the comments below & I would be happy to do so at some point. :D

Happy Syncopating!
Larissa