S E C O N D A R Y / K E Y S T A G E 3 M U S I C – S A M B A T H E O R Y
SYNCOPATION
Name Form
Syncopation is when the OFFBEATS in a rhythm- e.g. beats 2 and 4 in 4/4 time - are given a greater
degree of emphasis than the main beats - e.g. beats 1 and 3 in 4/4 time. Rhythms that ‘fit in between
the beats of a bar’ can be described as SYNCOPATED. In Samba, syncopated rhythms create complex
rhythms. This is particularly relevant in sections of Samba such as the MID-SECTIONS, where musicians
explore syncopation through improvisation. New rhythms in Samba are often formed because of
experimentation with syncopated rhythm.
1. There are 9 different Samba rhythms below. Some of them include SYNCOPATION, others do not.
Draw a circle around or identify those Samba rhythms which do include SYNCOPATION within the
rhythm.
a) b) c)
d) e) f)
g) h) i)
2. The following SYNCOPATED Samba rhythms are all made up of 2 bars. Insert the missing barline at
the correct place within the middle of the rhythm. All rhythms are in 4/4 time.
a)
b)
© W W W . M U S I C A L C O N T E X T S . C O . U K
S E C O N D A R Y / K E Y S T A G E 3 M U S I C – S A M B A T H E O R Y
c)
d)
3. Write the pulse/beat counts using “1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +” under the beats of each of the following
SYNCOPATED Samba rhythms. The first two bars of the first Samba rhythm has been done for you.
a)
b)
c)
d)
© W W W . M U S I C A L C O N T E X T S . C O . U K
S E C O N D A R Y / K E Y S T A G E 3 M U S I C – S A M B A T H E O R Y
SYNCOPATION
ANSWERS
Syncopation is when the OFFBEATS in a rhythm- eg beats 2 and 4 in 4/4 time - are given a greater
degree of emphasis than the main beats - eg beats 1 and 3 in 4/4 time. Rhythms that ‘fit in between the
beats of a bar’ can be described as SYNCOPATED. In Samba, syncopated rhythms create complex
rhythms. This is particularly relevant in sections of Samba such as the MID-SECTIONS, where musicians
explore syncopation through improvisation. New rhythms in Samba are often formed as a result of
experimentation with syncopated rhythm.
1. There are 9 different Samba rhythms below. Some of them include SYNCOPATION, others do not.
Draw a circle around or identify those Samba rhythms which do include SYNCOPATION within the
rhythm.
a) b) c)
d) e) f)
g) h) i)
2. The following SYNCOPATED Samba rhythms are all made up of 2 bars. Insert the missing barline at
the correct place within the middle of the rhythm. All rhythms are in 4/4 time.
a)
b)
© W W W . M U S I C A L C O N T E X T S . C O . U K
S E C O N D A R Y / K E Y S T A G E 3 M U S I C – S A M B A T H E O R Y
c)
d)
3. Write the pulse/beat counts using “1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +” under the beats of each of the following
SYNCOPATED Samba rhythms. The first two bars of the first Samba rhythm has been done for you.
a)
b)
c)
d)
© W W W . M U S I C A L C O N T E X T S . C O . U K