โ Upper Intermediate ยท Lesson 3 of 4Start with four steady quarter-note beats. Listen for the changing emphasis and keep a steady pulse.
Syncopation and Off-Beat Accents
Understand syncopation and recognise accents between the main beats. ยท 18 min
Understanding syncopation
Syncopation places emphasis on an unexpected beat or part of a beat.
Instead of accenting every strong beat, a rhythm may emphasise an off-beat.
Keep counting steadily even when the accents occur in unexpected places.
Practise clapping the rhythm first, then play it slowly on the keyboard.
Practise with a pulse
Count 1, 2, 3, 4 evenly.
Clap the rhythm while continuing to count.
Do not speed up when an accent feels surprising.
Tap the keys. Highlighted: C4, D4, E4, G4, A4.
Check yourself
You'll see immediately whether each answer is right, and why.
Syncopation and Off-Beat Accents quiz1 / 3
What is syncopation?