Syncopation
The use of eighth rests on the beat is a very common way of achieving a rhythmic effect known as syncopation. Syncopation means displacing the normal flow of accents, usually from on the beat to off the beat. Practice the following example slowly at first and count carefully as you play.
Here is another rhythm figure using dotted quarter notes. This time the eighth note is played first and the dotted quarter note is played off the beat. This creates another common syncopated rhythm.
This well known spiritual makes frequent use of the syncopated rhythm shown above. If you have trouble with any of the timing in this song, practice the rhythm figures on one note at first as in example 57.
Another common way of creating syncopated rhythms is the use of ties. Here is a rhythm similar to the one used in the first bar of example 56. The difference is that it uses ties instead of rests on the beat.
This well known Caribbean song makes very effective use of syncopated rhythms using ties. Take it slowly at first and remember to play the rhythms on one note at first if you have trouble with them.
