Syncope is a variant of a rhythmic pattern

Rhythm is one of the main components of music. Duration, combining in different versions, form the figures, of which the rhythmic picture of the musical composition consists . It is he who allows listeners to distinguish waltz from the march, songs and so on.

Rhythmic "brokenness"

Syncope in music is found everywhere, but the essence of this concept is not known to everyone. The classical definition sounds like this: "shifting a strong fraction of a measure to a weak one" - and professional musicians immediately catch on hearing this rhythmic "brokenness". Very often syncopes are used by the composer for climaxes or exacerbation of musical material. For a person who does not have a special musical education, the simplest example of musical syncopation can be Ragtime Joplin. This music is known to everyone. Easy dance and elegance it gives it syncopation, which sounds almost in every bar. Thus, syncope is a conflict of a rhythmic accent with a metric one.

In jazz, not only girls!

Jazz music and syncopation are actually synonyms. The birthplace of jazz is the USA, where it appeared in the mid-10s of the 20th century and then spread throughout the world. The origins of this genre are diverse - they are in pop songs, sounding in cabarets and taverns, in elements of Negro folklore. Jazz is rich in original texture, timbre colors and rhythm. Specific methods of performance, style, improvisation, syncopation - these are the characteristics of jazz music. One of the greatest masters of American music is George Gershwin. Beginning his way with composing songs and succeeding in this, he set himself a difficult task - to introduce jazz rhythms and intonations into symphonic music. "Rhapsody in the style of blues" develops the characteristic rhythms of jazz music, including syncopation. This can be traced in all 3 themes of Rhapsody - 2 of them are close to blues, and the third - to ragtime. Syncopated rhythm, polyrhythmia, unusual intonations peculiar to music of African-Americans dictate to music dynamism and temperament. Rhapsody in the style of blues is the most popular and performed concert ever created in America.

Syncope. An example from classical music

If jazz syncopation is simply impossible not to "notice", then in classical music everything is a little more complicated. Very often the syncope is masked, and then no fraction in the bar is strong. Thus, the effect of sliding through the meter, making the sound of syncopation soft and invisible, is created. In the works of the romantic period, a delayed syncope is often heard. This significantly weakens the rhythmic pulsation and the melody becomes "blind", that is, free. In the second concert for pianoforte and orchestra Rachmaninov in the theme of the side song, the melody then moves vigorously upward, then slides gently and gently downward. Syncopated development of the second motive from the second bar makes music active and aspiring. The whole concert is full of vigorous and strong-willed rhythm. Rhythmic formulas, syncopation and ostinato are interwoven with wide melodic melodies.

Syncops in folklore music

In Russian folk music, old songs often differ in the richness and variety of the rhythmic structure. Features it in a kind of verse text warehouse. In many cases, the location of musical accents is not at all subject to uniform pulsation. This creates additional difficulties when recording such tunes. As a consequence, the free arrangement of clock features and the change of clock symbols. The rhythm of the Russian song is original and complex. "Spring spell" of the Kursk region, "Kupalskaya" Krasnoyarsk region - with apparent simplicity of the melody make a deep impression due to the bright intonation expressiveness and rich rhythm with numerous syncopations.