When you count along with music, there is often a natural pattern of accents on each beat. However, when eighth rests are used on the beat, this displaces some of the natural accents from on the beat to off the beat (in between the beats). This effect is known as syncopation. A good way to become comfortable with syncopation is to practice singing a scale using the following rhythm. On the recording it is sung using the syllable da.
The use of eighth rests on the beat is a common way of achieving syncopated rhythms. This 12 Bar Blues progression is written in the style of Jazz singer Bobby McFerrin, who often mimics instrumental solos with his voice. This progression. is dealt with in detail in Lesson 20 on Blues singing. The 12 Bar Blues progression is the basis of thousands of popular songs. Sing this example using the syllable ba, then try it with some other syllables. If you’re feeling adventurous, try some scat singing with the recording.