Mozart begins his Symphony K. 183
with a syncopated rhythm in the upper strings while at the
same time presenting a similar line in the cello and basses
in a straight rhythm.
Straight
Rhythm
The bass and cello section
play a straight quarter note rhythm on the
beat.
Syncopated
Rhythm
The upper strings play a
syncopated rhythm where all but the first note of
each bar begins after the beat.
All parts
together
The opening four bars as
Mozart composed them with straight rhythm in the
lower parts pitted against the syncopated upper
parts.
Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf
Rag
Syncopation is found in a
variety of musical styles. Listen to the syncopated
rhythms in the right hand (higher parts) against
the straight rhythms in the left hand
accompiamant.
