How do you pronounce Syncopation?

Syncopation is pronounced "sin-koh-PAY-shun".

Syncopation

Deliberate displacement of the expected rhythmic accent

About Syncopation

Syncopation places emphasis on weak beats or between beats, disrupting the regular pattern of strong and weak accents. It creates a sense of rhythmic tension and forward motion.

More rhythm terms

Beat

The basic unit of time in music — the regular pulse a listener feels

Anacrusis

One or more notes that precede the first full bar of a piece, functioning as an upbeat or pickup.

Polyrhythm

The simultaneous use of two or more conflicting rhythmic patterns

Crotchet

A note lasting one beat in common time, equivalent to a quarter note in American terminology.

Bar

A segment of music bounded by bar lines, containing a fixed number of beats

View all rhythmterms →

Synonyms

off-beat accent

beat rhythm polyrhythm groove

Compare with similar terms

Syncopation vs off-beat accent

v1 · 09/04/2026Browse all terms →

Nearby Terms

SubitoSuddenly; an immediate change without transition.
SuiteA collection of short movements grouped together, often based on dance forms or sharing a common theme
Sul ponticelloOn the bridge; bowing near the bridge for a glassy tone.
Sul tastoOn the fingerboard; bowing over the fingerboard for a soft tone.
SuspensionA non-chord tone held over from the previous chord, creating tension
TacetSilent — an instruction that a performer or section does not play during a movement or passage
TemperamentA tuning system that determines how the twelve pitches within an octave are spaced.
TempoThe speed at which a piece of music is performed.
Tempo di valseIn waltz time — a moderate triple-time tempo suitable for dancing
Tempo giustoAt a strict, regular tempo without flexibility or rubato