The pattern is typical of much folk-dance music, especially in eastern Europe, and its use in the Western written tradition may be traced to the 14th century. It is a characteristic element of jazz and figures prominently in the music of Igor Stravinsky and other 20th-century composers.

Where is syncopation found?

You can often find syncopation in musical styles like Latin music, Jazz music, and Funk. In fact, wherever there is rhythm, there is the potential for syncopation. Even in dance: the dancer can syncopate with a strong step on a weak beat.

How is syncopation created?

Syncopation is created when the strong beats are obscured and either the weak beats or smaller beat divisions are stressed. This is perhaps the simplest form of syncopation and involves replacing a strong beat in a measure with a rest.