Syncopation is the art of accenting the off-beats — the spaces between the main beats. It is the foundation of funk, jazz, Latin, and hip-hop drumming.
What Is Syncopation?
In a standard 4/4 beat, the strong beats are 1, 2, 3, and 4. Syncopation means accenting the "&" beats — 1 &, 2 &, 3 &, 4 & — or even the "e" and "a" of sixteenth notes.
By shifting the emphasis to the off-beats, you create tension and release. The listener expects the beat to fall on 1, 2, 3, 4 — but you surprise them by accenting the spaces between.
This is what makes funk drumming "groove" and jazz drumming "swing." Without syncopation, music sounds rigid and mechanical.
The Syncopated Hi-Hat
Start with a basic rock beat. Now move your hi-hat pattern so that you play on the "&" of each beat instead of the downbeat.
Try this pattern: play the hi-hat on 1, the "&" of 1, the "&" of 2, 3, the "&" of 3, and the "&" of 4.
This creates a syncopated feel that instantly sounds more funky and interesting.
Practice Tips
- ●Study the book "Stick Control" by George Lawrence Stone
- ●Listen to funk drummers like Clyde Stubblefield and Jabo Starks
- ●Practice playing beats with different syncopation patterns
- ●Try displacing the snare backbeat — play it on the "&" of 2 instead of 2