FINGER CYMBALS...

...Otherwise known as; Zagats, Sagats, Zills, Manzira, Manjira etc…

“Tak-a-tak, Tak-a-tak, Tak-a-Tak-Tak-Tak”

As a dancer, it’s important to have some knowledge of the music that you are trying to interpret through your movement.

The melody, rhythm and lyrics all have a deep emotional connection and bringing this to life within your dance is likely to be a reflection of your emotional attachment to the music and life in general.

Finger cymbals are an integral part of understanding the rhythm of Arabic and North African music.

The pitch and tone of finger cymbals all depends on the size. Small cymbals are high pitched and the sound will travel a short distance, while large ones have a deeper ring to them and the sound will travel much further.

So how do we use them?



What about playing alongside a dumbek?

LOVE TO BELLY DANCE

You will find out all you wish to know about Middle-Eastern belly dance, otherwise known as raqs sharqi, with video-links, costume ideas and progression of movement. The origins, health benefits and types of costume can be found in the first few blog postings. Also included in the blog will be techniques of movement, the history and culture of belly dance worldwide, DVD reviews, belly dancing venues in London, holiday destinations and much more!

Amazing Dancers

Amar Gamal

"Amar Gamal was born in Havana, Cuba and was raised in Miami Beach, Florida.

She began her bellydance training at the Mideastern Dance Exchange at the age of 13 years old, under the direction of dance legend Tamalyn Dallal and attended the reputable New World School of the Arts High School in Miami, FL.

Amar was the first and only student to audition with bellydance and get accepted into the dance program. Here she pursued her intensive dance training in Ballet, Jazz, Modern/Contemporary, Tap and Afro-Cuban dances.

Amar’s elegant and unique style has made her a sought after performer and instructor worldwide. She has had the privilege to be an invited guest teacher and performer all over Europe, Asia, South America and North America."

http://www.bellyqueen.com/amar_bio.html



Amira Abdi

Born in Kiev of Ukrainian parents with Algerian and Serbian background, Amira started dancing when she was a little girl. Born in a country where ballet dance school was considered to be the best in the world (the former USSR), she spent many hours in a dance classes passionately studying classical, modern and folklore dance.

At her teen age Amira visited the land of her grandfathers for the first time. There she was introduced to authentic Algerian dance and Arabian music and fell in love with the culture and art. She started to learn Arabic together with the most important language – the language of oriental dance.

In order to develop her dance knowledge she moved to Cairo and began private classes with Mahmoud Reda as well as attending a large number of workshops.

Amira took part in two of the most famous Oriental dance festivals; “Ahalan Wa Sahlan” and “Nilegroupe”. She continued her research into oriental culture and art by traveling to Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Turkey, Tunisia, Dubai, India and Egypt (more than 20 times)."

http://www.amirastyle.com/en/about_Amira_Abdi/