Syncopation occurs when there is either two or more attacks on consecutive upbeats or when there is an attack on an upbeat without an attack on the following downbeat. The rhythm of most pop song melodies are syncopated. The chart below shows a syncopated melodic rhythm and its relation to the foot. If you are tapping your foot down on the numbers (downbeat), and moving it up on the ands (upbeat), then you can feel if melodic rhythms are syncopated.

In order for melodies to be catchy, they need to use repetition. Measures that have the same rhythm can be organized within a four measure phrase. Each measure is given a letter to help identify its place in the phrase and any combination of these letters creates a memorable rhythm. There are twenty four possible combinations in a four bar phrase and some are stronger than others. Here are two popular repetition structures.

Melodies should be easy to sing. Using space in a melody allows a singer to breathe and provides contrast from sections that might be more active. The B section in the ABAC phrase below uses space and creates contrast from the A and C section.