What is syncopation, anyway?

[pygmalion]

For the newbies and non music majors out there, could someone please explain the meaning of the term, syncopation, that we've been throwing around, from a dancer's perspective, please. No need to get too technical musically, unless you just want to. :D

http://www.ilovemusic.com/syncopat.htm

[Sagitta]

This is definitely something that I want to understand better. Thanks Jenn!! :)

I'm on holiday right now in NYC, but will definitely read up on the link, and hopefully the posts that follow on Sunday/Monday when I'm back home!!

[d nice]

That article breaks down musical syncopation well...
but it is missing something that applies to all african diaspora (both black and afro-cuban dances fall in there)...

there is no difference between music and dance. I can syncopate based solely off of my own rhythm... this is what hoofers do. If my normal steps use the additive rhythm of 2+3+2+3 and I change that to 1+2+1+2 I've syncopated my own rhythm...

There is alos the concept of visual rhythms which was completely neglected by the article, because while it was written by someone who is a dancer, they are a musician first and foremost. Visual rhythms are bread and butter of African based dance.

Overall though the article does a real good explanation of what syncopation is from a musical standpoint.

[ballroomboilergirl]

I have always been confused as to what exactly syncopation is, but that article definitely helped...I still don't really know HOW to syncopate, but at least I now know WHY to syncopate :D