CultureJuly 17, 2026
syncopation
/ˌsɪŋkəˈpeɪʃən/
Definition
A musical technique involving the displacement of beats or accents, where emphasis is placed on weak notes or the off-beats rather than the standard rhythmic pulse.
Etymology
The word derives from the Greek 'synkopē', meaning 'cutting short' or 'a cutting off'. It entered English via Late Latin to describe the omission of sounds in a word, later evolving in the 17th century to describe the rhythmic 'cutting' or shifting of stress in music.
In the news
The author highlights syncopation as a defining feature of the unique Eastern European rhythms performed by the group Planina. It is used here to describe the complex, non-standard rhythmic patterns that made the concert emotionally moving.
The music of Planina comes to Ward
Read the full article ↗The Mountain-Ear