| Piano students need to have knowledge and | | | | beat. Instead emphasize the 2nd beats. Like this: |
| understanding of musical concepts in a way that they | | | | 1 - 2 - 3 - 4...hold - 2 - 3 - 4....hold - 2 - 3 - 4....hold 2 - 3 - |
| can apply to their playing. For example, students often | | | | 4....hold - 2 - 3 - 4.... |
| have difficulty understanding the musical term | | | | Syncopation means to emphasize what would |
| syncopation. They can memorize the definition, but | | | | normally be a "weak" beat. Not playing on the first |
| don't know what it sounds like or how to do it. Here's | | | | beat creates a sense of anticipation gives music a |
| an easy way to explain this to kids taking piano | | | | jazzy feeling that makes your want to tap your toe. |
| lessons. | | | | The Entertainer, by Scott Joplin, which was popularized |
| Rock music follows a strict 4/4 tempo, or four beats | | | | by the 1973 movie, The Sting, has a syncopated |
| to every measure. The first beat of the measure is | | | | rhythm common to ragtime music. Ragtime music has |
| emphasized. Similarly, cheerleaders follow a 4/4 beat | | | | a steady 4/4 bass beat that supports a "ragged," |
| to scream their cheers. Try this count a steady 4 | | | | syncopated melody that keeps trying to interrupt the |
| beats and keep repeating. | | | | bass. |
| 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, 1 - 2 | | | | Have your child in piano lessons try the exercise |
| - 3 - 4, 1 - 2 - 3 4... | | | | above. Then get a CD or the sheet music of The |
| Clap on each beat emphasizing the first beats. This is | | | | Entertainer. You can find a simplified arrangement for |
| a steady rock beat or an "Indian" beat that | | | | children taking piano lessons online or at your local |
| cheerleaders and the marching band might use during | | | | music store. It would make a nice Birthday or |
| half-time at a football game. It doesn't have a rhythm | | | | Christmas gift and you'll love hearing them play this |
| really, just a steady single beats. | | | | syncopated, ragtime music written by Scott Joplin |
| Now create a syncopated rhythm. Clap the beats out, | | | | (1868-1917). |
| but hold out beat 4 and don't clap on the next, or first, | | | | |