Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum

With our Off the Beat workshop coming up in a few days, we managed to catch workshop leader Sascia for a quick chat. Read on to find out how this exciting workshop came about, and what participants can expect this Sunday!

Sascia, when you say ‘off-beat’, what do you mean?
Off-beat refers to the possibility of having pulses (and counts) that are not related to the typical 4/4 meter (or the count in 4 or 8 for the dancers). Why don't we have 3 counts or 5 counts or maybe 11, 13 and 15 counts for dance and music?

Then there is cross-beats  where different meters overlap: why not have a dance pattern of 5 steps over a music count of 4? Endless possibilities. 

Hmm… can you show us some works that do this?
Here is Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker, a world-renowned choreographer collaborating with Steve Reich: 

This video shows a piece I did with YAF choreographer Giselle and YAFIE Jade:

Why do you think it is important to explore off-beat rhythms?
Because it enhances your ability to use diverse rhythms, and you become more aware of body motions and musical phrasing. It expands the possibilities of exploring dance and music, taking them into new directions. It also helps you to to keep a more steady regular count/beat.

If I’ve never tried playing or dancing to off-beats before, what is the best way to start?
Learn to sing different rhythms, then try out ideas while keeping the count steady. 

Can you tell us a bit more about yourself? 
I am a percussionist, composer and pianist. I started training when I was  4 years old. In the past 5 years, I have also started to conceive choreography and videos. My main interest lies in connecting diverse mediums and disciplines in a dialogue where the different languages become one: a universal language of melted inputs -  visual, audible, movement, light. They all become one when treated in a precise, define and accurate way. I’m used to working where materials are subtracted rather than added. As such, I’m convinced that the right way to link diverse media is to keep the single elements simple, clear and neat. That’s how I think when I work when composing, performing and sharing ideas in my workshops.  

How did you get into off-beat rhythms and odd metre counts?
I’ve played as a classical percussionist, a drummer and a piano player across many music genres. During the past 10 years, my interest has become more closely related to new music, where the use of odd meters, and atypical rhythms and counts are common. My reflection about using different rhythmical approach on dance and in relation with the musicians comes also because of my experience as a performer of new music.

Sign up to the Off the Beat workshop now - only a few spaces left, so act fast!