Bartók Béla Viktor János ： Mikrokosmos Vol.1 No.9 Syncopation 1 BB 105 Sz 107

No. 9, “Syncopation 1,” from Volume 1 of Mikrokosmos is an educational miniature focused, as its title suggests, on the fundamentals of syncopation—the sensation of shifting the surface of the beat. Within its brief phrases, the regular flow of the meter contrasts with the movement of the accents, allowing the player to experience changes in rhythm through both ear and fingers. It is important to begin by counting the beat steadily and coordinating the roles and note values of each part precisely. Rather than overemphasizing the accents, keep the underlying pulse moving while clearly bringing out the displaced notes; this gives the music a light yet taut character. Practice slowly at first, then settle the tempo while listening to the balance of the whole.