Syncopated Rhythms unlocks the hidden heartbeat of Moroccan, Balkan, and Ottoman music and dance traditions: Chaabi (Aklal), Karsilama (9/8), Samai (10/8), and Jurjuna (14/8). Created by percussionist Marshall Bodiker and featuring legendary dancer Shahrzad of Cairo, this dual-track program teaches drummers stroke-by-stroke technique on doumbek and bendir - while dancers learn full performance phrases that embody each rhythm’s unique energy. With on-screen structure analysis and cultural insights, you’ll move beyond counting beats to improvising with confidence and soul.

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Master Odd-Time Signatures with Precision and Cultural Insight - it’s a deep dive into the syncopated soul of Middle Eastern and North African music!

Created by Marshall Bodiker, a passionate percussion instructor, this advanced-beginner program unlocks four captivating odd-time rhythms: Moroccan Chaabi (Aklal), Karsilama (9/8), Samai (10/8), and Jurjuna (14/8)—each a cornerstone of traditional and folk dance across the region. Designed for both drummers and dancers, this program bridges technique, musicality, and cultural context (like no free online tutorial ever could!)

What makes this program stand out:
✅ Dual-track learning:
 • For drummers: Stroke-by-stroke breakdowns on doumbek and bendir, with warmups, fills, rolls, and authentic embellishments
 • For dancers: Full performance vignettes with Shahrzad, spectacular Cairo–based belly dance star, showing how to move with each rhythm’s unique phrasing and energy
✅ Cultural depth: Learn the origins, regional variations, and musical logic behind each rhythm—not just the pattern
✅ Progressive practice: Start with the bare rhythmic skeleton at slow tempo, then layer in flourishes—just like real musicians do
✅ On-screen structure analysis: Visual breakdowns help you see the odd-meter architecture (e.g., 3+3+3 for Karsilama)
✅ Filmed to highlight the synergy between drum and dance

Rhythms Explored:
🔹 Chaabi (Aklal) – Joyful, communal Moroccan rhythm with rolling accents
🔹 Karsilama – Lively Balkan-influenced 9/8, perfect for dynamic turns and traveling steps
🔹 Samai – Stately, sophisticated 10/8 used in classical Arabic and Ottoman traditions
🔹 Jurjuna – Complex, driving 14/8 rhythm that challenges and rewards both dancer and drummer

Ideal for:
• Belly dancers seeking to improvise with confidence in less common but deeply expressive rhythms
• Percussionists wanting authentic technique beyond basic 4/4 patterns
• Choreographers and teachers building culturally grounded repertoire

In Middle Eastern music, odd meters aren’t “complicated”—they’re alive. And with Marshall and Shahrzad as your guides, you will master them in no time.

Instant streaming or premium DVD. Filmed in New York City.

Why learn from World Dance New York?
For over 25 years, World Dance New York has been the trusted authority in women’s solo dance education—pioneering accessible, body-positive, and artistically rich instruction that has shaped generations of dancers worldwide. We collaborate only with master artists who honor tradition, precision, and the dialogue between rhythm and movement. Every program is a complete learning system—designed to turn curiosity into cultural fluency.