Triple steps ≠ "syncopation"

[u/JonTigert]

Please dear God can we stop using this phrase wrong.

What you mean to say is that your triple steps are "swung".

Syncopation describes a moment; swung can describe an entire song.

When musicians talk about it, you don't say you have straight eighth notes and then syncopated eighth notes, that would be a nonsense statement. You say they are swung eighth notes.

If you want an example of syncopation, you could look to the song Castle Rock. That accent in the melody at the beginning is it good example of syncopation.

Syncopation does happen a lot in swing music, but it is not present in a step-step triple step basic in either six or eight counts.

[u/Palaksa]

English is not my native language, i apologize if i am not clear or if i do not understand and need re-phrase.

Also, I am not a musician, i dance lindy hop. I like to discuss those topics around word, rythm ect. If you have recommended read on this topic, i am willing to read a lot.

If i describe a beat as "1 a & a 2", and i triple step by hitting "1 _ _ a 2" ( "_" is silent here). Can't i say that my triple step is syncopated ? In this case, i understand this triple step is an example of syncopation.

Because comparatively, i didnt hit the straight "1 _ & _ 2", which i would describe as not syncopated or straight (i may misuse word here, please feedback if that is the case).

[u/No-Custard-1468 → u/Palaksa]

I’m only 80% sure of what I’m saying, but here’s my understanding:

• If you’re delaying a note, instead of making it flat or always exact same rhythm - swung Sounds like taa-tata vs ta-ta-ta

-If you’re accentuating a beat that is not usually accentuated - syncopated Sounds like taTA—tata vs ta-ta-ta