[Tango-L] Syncopation

[Russell Ranno]

Linda,

A syncopation or syncopated rhythm is any rhythm that puts an emphasis on a 
beat or a subdivision of a beat that is not usually emphasized.

Syncopation is NOT what musicians call double time, although in double time 
the notes that are on the weak beats are syncopated.  Most of the time, be 
it playing or writing music, or dancing tango, empasizing subdivisions of 
the beat is a much more interesting  way to use syncopation than simply 
using double time.

It is not a complicated concept, maybe the actual word makes it seem more 
mysterious or erudite than it really is.  But I agree that syncopations 
begin Gallo Ciego, and of course dancing any of the beats of a waltz other 
than the "1" would be as well.  In fact, you probably couldn't find a tune 
anywhere that didn't have syncopation.  To explore it for yourself, tap out 
steady beats on your left leg with your left hand and then tap anything else 
you want with your right hand on your right leg.  The trick, and the 
learning, is in not varying the pulse in your left hand while you do it.  If 
you like this sort of thing the next step will be getting yourself a drum 
set, or a piano...

Russell