Syncopation
Playing "off the beat" to create excitement and groove.
Metric Accents
Before understanding syncopation, we must know the natural rules of accentuation. In any meter, beats do not feel the same; some naturally have more weight or "force" than others.
What is Syncopation?
Syncopation is the disruption of this expectation. It happens when the rhythm's accent shifts to an unexpected place: to a weak beat (like 2 or 4) or to the weak part of a beat (the offbeat).
By placing the accent where there would normally be silence or weakness, it generates a feeling of "push", surprise, and physical movement (the famous "groove"). It is the foundation of Jazz, Rock, Funk, and Latin music.
Weights and Accents of the Measure