syncopation
Emphasis on normally weak beats, creating rhythmic surprise.
In Depth
Syncopation places emphasis on beats or parts of beats that are normally unstressed, creating a sense of rhythmic surprise and forward momentum. The effect can range from subtle (a gentle push before the beat) to dramatic (strong accents consistently off the main beats).
Syncopation is the rhythmic engine of most popular music. Ragtime was named for its ragged (syncopated) rhythms. Jazz swing is built on syncopation. Funk, reggae, and Latin music all depend on syncopated patterns for their groove and energy. In classical music, Beethoven and Brahms used syncopation to create rhythmic tension and drive within more structured forms.
Scott Joplin's ragtime syncopation was so new to European-trained musicians that many of them literally could not play it — their training had programmed them to accent the strong beats.