Syncopation

Pronunciation: /ˈsɪŋkəˌpeɪʃən/

Syncopation (noun)

  1. A musical effect where the stress or accent falls on an unexpected part of the beat.
  2. A rhythm pattern that briefly breaks the regular flow, making the timing feel uneven or surprising.

Examples

  • Syncopation creates a beat shift that makes the music feel lively.
  • The drummer uses syncopation to highlight a beat shift in the groove.