Syncopation

Syncopation is a rhythmic effect where accents are placed off the regular beats, emphasizing weak beats or offbeatsinstead of the usual strong ones (like beats 1 and 3 in 4/4 time). This creates a sense of displacement, rhythmic tension, and a unique groove. Syncopation is widely used in jazz, funk, Latin music, as well as hip-hop, afrobeat, and some forms of electronic music. It adds life, motion, and swing to rhythmic or melodic lines.